
Class 
Book- 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



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A 



THE 



OIT"^ OF 

SAINT LOUIS 

*'ThlH city now doth, like a garment, wear 
The beauty of the morning." 





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THE • P 

CITY OF 



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"THIS CITY, NOW DOTH LIKE A GARMENT, WEAR 
THE BEAUTY OF THE MORNING." 



^V; 




BY 

M. M. YEAKLE, Sen. 

AUTHOR OF 

"CITY OF ST. LOUIS OF TO-DAY," 

ETC. 



SAINT LOUIS 

810 OLIVE STREET. 

1891. 



Saint L^ouis 



GROWTH IN MANUFACTURES, COMMERCE. 
RESOURCES, ETC. 

I iliN 2.lj 1891 

-AND- v "^lyn-wf 

•GTOW. 

Comments on its Most Valuable Interests. 



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(Topnririht 

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VIF.W IX ruWEK LiiiOVE UUIVINU I'AUiv 



rUULlSHED TIY 

M. M. Yeakle, Sen. 

No. SIO Oi.iv!'; Stuickt, 

St. Louis. 



DEDICATION. 

TO 

THE MERCANTILE CLUB, 
City of Saint Louis. 



Your Club, fiiiUiful to individual and the public interest 
as well, and true to the purposes of the organization, has 
been promptly ready whenever the public advantage could be 
promoted by discreet counsel or energetic action. 

Members of your Club conceived the invaluable objects 
of tlie Permanent Exposition and its adjuncts, and led the van 
of citizens who reared that noble institution, which, during 
seven years, has sent forth constant streams of popular know- 
ledge and refined pleasures, not only to the people of this city, 
but to great numbers from abroad. 

Your Club gave many co-laborers to the ranks of citizens 
at large who created in a single decade the neio city of Saint 
Louis out of the old, and brought it to rank among the fore- 
most of American cities. 

Respectfully, 

M. M. YEAKLE, SEN. 
Saint Louis, May 23, 181)1. 



THE AUTHOR'S IXTRODUCTIOX. 



The limited scope of this work forbade amplification of the 
subjects treated, yet a fair measure of justice has been done to 
all. The object sought is the promotion of the i)itevest of the 
city of Saint Louis and not that of any person or company of 
persons. 

The home reader — presumed to be familiar with the history 
6f the city of Saint Louis — will, nevertheless, find much that 
will interest him; and all readers will be enabled to trace 
the beginning, rise and progress of this great city and know 
much more of its exceptional advantages and superior re- 
sources. 

To the numerous friends of the city throughout the land, 
many of whom have been visitors and guests, it is to be hoped 
that these pages will refresh their memories and supply inform- 
ation that will add to their appreciation of our city's resources 
and promise. 

Strangers will find in these pages much that will please and 
instruct while being afforded glimpses only of the most typical 
of American cities — the chief city of the Great Valley — rising 
rapidly to greater influence and opulence, the future degree of 
which can only be inferred from the wealth of the natural 
resources and great extent of the surroundings. Yet this work 
could not be made to convey to absent inquirers any proper 
sense of that characteristic Metropolitan charm — appreciable 
by the visitor on every side. 

A general and cordial invitation is extended to all distant 
readers to come, see and learn for themselves. 




THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS! 
BEGINNING AND RISIL 



PART FIRST. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE BEGINNING. 
"He buildcd wiser than he knew." 

The early hamlet was called by the villagers, "Laclede's 
Village," and the "poste de Saint Louis," after Louis IX, King 
of France, who was canonized by the Roman church inconse- 
quence of his armed resistance to the encroachments of the 
Saracens and for his exemplary life. The naming was in 17G6 
by, and after consultation between Laclede Liguist, acting civil 
governor Judge Joseph Lefebre and Captain Saint Ange de 
Bellerive, commanding the garrison. 

The ''poste" early obtained the dignity 
of the appellation of capital of the prov- 
ince of Upper Louisiana, as New Orleans 
^' had become the capital of Lower Louis- 
iana. The province having passed from 
the control of the King of France to that 
of the King of Spain, it was controled by 
the latter nation from the year 1770 to 
1804. It was purchased by the United 
States in 1803, from Napoleon Bonaparte, first consul of 
France. This ruler had not long before constrained Spain to 
cede the province back to France without any money consider- 
ation just as Louis XV conveyed it by secret treaty to his 
cousin of Spain in 17G2. 




LOUIS IX. 

(Saint Louis.) 



() TiiK CUV oi- sr. loihs. 

FROM SPAIN TO THE UNITED STATES. 

The ownership of the provinces — in their entirct)' — was for. 
mally conveyed by Gmornor Don CarU^ts Dehault Dehissus, at 
St. Louis, March 9, ISOl, to Captain Amos Stoddard, U. S. A., 
acting for the govcrnnicnt of the United States. The actual 
proprietorship by France and the nominal ownership by Spain 
were then eliminated and the Republic became possessed of 
invaluable territory reaching from the Gulf of Mexico to the 
sources o( the Mississippi. From that year a fresh develop- 
ment of "Louisiana" along the Great River was 
begun by hardy Americans including men oi' 
ripe intelligence. During the succeding eighty-seven 
years until now (1801), its rich, natural resources in 
rare and varied productions of minerals, grains, timbers, 
fruits, wools, cotton, sugar, tobacco and a hundred other 
staples, have been brought by skillful subjection to make the 
Mississippi Valley the richest portion of the United States, if 
not of the world. 

THE RISE. 

From the year 1804, the town of St. Louis, owing to its 
convenient and central position, not only became the principal 
focus of the commerce of the valley of the upper Mississippi 
river, but enjoyed a lucrative trade with the southern part of the 
valley. Saint Louis was the starting point and place of return 
of all the earlier and later expeditions for exploration and 
discovery in the great west, and of military movements of the 
national government, including the assembling of embassadors 
of the Indian tribes for the negotiation of treaties. At St. 
Louis the government purchased all its provisions and forage 
for the army and the Indian supplies and paid the annuities. 
That city is still the most eligible and the cheapest place to 
purchase those supplies. It would evidently be to the interest 
of the national government to return to St. Louis when adver- 
tising for the purchase of supplies for the army and the Indians. 
In 1809 the town was incorporated — retaining its present 
name. The population was then 2,000 souls. The state ef 



DECLINE AND RI-XOVERY 7 

Missouri, having been received into the national union in 1821, 
the town of St. Louis obtained a charter, under which a city 
organization arose in 1823 with a population of about five 
th(jusand. 

DECLINE AND RECOVERY 

Down to the period of the civil war, beginning in 18G1, St. 
Louis, with a population of 100,000 souls, was the chief city of 
the Great Valley, in commerce and manufactures. Then a sad 
bligJit came, which, not affecting cities north and east otherwise 
than favorably financially, gave them opportunities which they 
well improved. But within the last decade St. Louis has re- 
covered all the commerce that had been lost and made great 
additions thereto, has "recouped" the lost wealth and regained 
a commanding eminence — rising higher and higher — to a 
position of equality, opportunity and prestige, and fifth in popu- 
lation in the Republic. The possibilities of urban, together 
with suburban expansion, are unlimited for beautiful and healthy 
home sites. The opportunities for education, the training of the 
young and for the refinement and welfare of the masses are not 
excelled by any other spot, while for the acquisition of wealth 
it is equal to other most favored places in the United States. 

EARLY FUTURE. 

There is no reason to doubt that St. Louis will be found 
at the end of the present decade, the fourth city in population. 
Possessing unsurpassed natural advantages for manufacturing 
and commerce, ample money resources, great and growing 
artificial facilities : the activity and ambition of its citizens are 
placing their city at the forefront of progress and eminence. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PEOPLE. 

" St. Louis and New Orleans are the only American cities 
which have owned both the French and Spanish sway bcfijre 
yielding allegiance to the Constitution of the United States. 

" New Orleans continues French to the core. St. Louis is 



8 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

thoroughly American ; but in the process of transformation the 
city has become cosmopoHtan in a remarkable degree. In 
this respect likewise St. Louis is markedly distinct from 
other American cities. None is less provincial, none so thor- 
oughly metropolitan in the composition of its population, which 
is yet blended together in one homogeneous whole that makes 
it an effective unit in every article of action and enterprise. In 
St. Louis, nationalities are fused and welded together, so that 
every inhabitant feels the local spirit and patriotic impulse of 
the Latin, who knew no higher boast than Civis Romanus 
Stan."* 

CHAPTER II. 
THE NEW CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

" This city now doth, like a garment, wear 
The beauty of the morning." — f 

HOW OLD SAINT LOUIS HAS CHANGED. 

No fact is more completely recognized and none more 
cherished in regard to our city by progressive citizens, than 
that the improvements made within the last few years have 
wrought such thorough changes as to have created, as it were, 
a tie^u city out of old St. Louis and given the city a new pres- 
tige. Such transformation entitles it to a position among its 
compeers, at the very front. Visitors cannot help expressing 
their surprise and pleasure while renewing their acquaintance 
with the city after an absence of several years. 

MUNICIPAL AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 

We need make reference only to the improved styles, 
greatly enlarged dimensions, increased cost and number of 
new office, bank, mercantile, manufacturing and other business 
buildings and blocks ; new church, college, and school edifices ; 
the large number of magnificent private palaces, and the im- 
mense number of new residence houses in every variety of 

* Sharf, Vol I. 
t Wortlsworth. 



THE NEW CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 9 

style and size, and of all degrees of cost, adapted to the rich, 
the well-to-do and the humble citizen, for their own occupa- 
tion, and for sale, lease or rent, which have lately been built. 
These improvements are an indication of the great strides 
made within the last few years ; while the buildings, finished 
during the last year or two, are the costliest and most beautiful 
that have ever been built in this city. 

Throughout all the business section and beyond, the or- 
iginal MacAdam street pavements have disappeared, and 
been replaced by indestructible granite and in some of the 
residence sections the streets and avenues are paved with 
asphalt and Telford inaterial — smooth, noiseless and clean. 
The thorough system of sewerage and drainage, constructed 
and supervised by the municipality, is rendered hourly effective 
through the very favorable topography of the whole city which 
has helped make St. Louis one of the healthiest cities of the 
world, as is evidenced by the mortality rate given elsewhere in 
this work. The unlimited and exhaustless supply of whole- 
some water ; rigid municipal attention to scientific rules for 
sanitation and requiring their observance by all citizens, regu- 
lar and constant street and alley cleaning, and daily sprinkling of 
the streets, are some of the means for securing the health and 
comfort of the inhabitants and which contribute so much to 
the delight and satisfaction of visitors. 

THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 
Although St. Louis was not chosen by the national legis- 
ature for the site of the Columbian Exposition, it was not in. 
any sense a slight to the great advantages and suitability of 
our city for the great undertaking, while the choice of another 
western city was a compliment paid to the claims of the Great 
West, and an acknowledgement that hitherward "the course of 
empire takes its way," which will be early demonstrated by the 
controling power proceeding from the Mississippi Valley. ' 

FUTURE OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY, INCLUDING THE 
CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

Wherever the normal climate is most favorable for health 

and longevity, and the food of man the most abundant and 



10 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

cheapest, there will the greatest human population be found 
ami the mightiest accumulation of material wealth and power. 
Can such conditions be found as fully anywhere else upon this 
continent? The statistics show that of the productions of the 
farms in the United States, three-fourths of the quantity and 
value are those produced in the valley of the Mississippi. (See 
the Statistics of Food Production in Chapter 4, Part First), 
Therefore, it is certain that from the valley will proceed the 
most eminent and pursuasive influences that will be acknowl- 
edged throughout the nation, and it is evident that such su- 
preme era of power cannot be very long delayed. 

The city of St. Louis, by its commanding position in the 
valley of such mighty resources, cannot fail to receive into its 
lap a steady increment of wealth. 

CHAPTER III. 

Tllli SITE OP Si; I.OUIS ASSlIRiiS ITS (ONSTANT AND 
RAPID GROWTH. 



" AVho sliall i)la('o a limit 
To tlio giant's uncliaincd f trcngth, 
Or curb bis swiftness in tlie forward race? " * 



THE EARLY OPINIONS OF MEN OF ABILITY, 

Nature herself has provided the site of every great and per- 
manent city : and it is not difficult to find it. Laclede — the 
founder — was a man of observation and experience. He had 
seen cities of the Old World (as Paris, the metropolis of his 
native country), and had considered their sites and surround- 
ings. When Laclede saw the spot — the site of the present 
great city — for the first time, he was so forcibly impressed 
with its rare advantages of situation near the confluence of the 
mighty Missouri with the Mississippi, that he gave utterance 

* Byrant. 



ITS CONSTANT AND KAl'ID (JROWTH. 11 

to his surprise and delight. Chouteau, his companion, relates 
that on meeting the French officer in command of Fort de 
Chartres (the only other person of note within more than a 
thousand miles), Laclede made haste and said, " Monsieur, I 
have found a site for my business and home ! It is all I could 
desire, and there I will make a beginning. Upon that spot will 
be found, some ^z.y,one of tJie most splendid cities of Amcricay^ 
The opinion of any able and observing man — noted for intel- 
ligence and sound judgment — is always received with respect, 
even should his views not be accepted, liut the con-current 
agreement of several such is usually final. Such we will now 
quote : 

BRACKENRIDGE, IN 1811. f 

Judge Brackenridge, of Pittsburgh, a discriminating traveler, 
said of St. Louis, zvhen yet a village, titter seeing large portions 
of the Great Valley : " The chief reason for its great prospec- 
tive growth is its unrivaled position for a distributing centre ; 
that there must be a place of commercial distribution somewhere 
between th.e mouths of the Ohio and the Missouri ; that a 
trade would be opened with Spanish America ; and that the 
establishment of direct communication with the East Indies — 
{^)ia an Isthmus route) — zvas only a question of time. And, that 
finally, St. Louis would become the commercial e^nporium of 
the' American Nile' y At that time (1811) a steamboat had 
not been launched on any western water, and the prediction of 
a coming " steam wagon " was considered chimerical. | 

*From the diary of Auguste Chouteau— of which only a fragment is 
remaining — preserved in the Mercantile Library-. 

Laclede en grande hate repondit^ " Monsieur jai trouve un site pour 
nies affaires ct mon chez nioi! Cest tout ce que j'aurais pu desiror, et 
c'est laque je vais coniinencer. Sur cet emplacement on verra, un jour 
Tune dcs villcs Ics plus eplendides de I'Amerique ! " 

f Brackenrldge's journal, ISll. 

X About the year 1800, Oliver Evans, a talented mechanical engineer of 
Philadelphia, predicted that the "child was then born who would travel 
from Washington to Boston in A% hours, by means of a steam-pro prlUd 
viagnn.'''' And it Was accomplished in Less time than required by the pre- 
diction (in the year l'^3-!). on the completion of the railroad between 
Baltimore and Philadelphia. 



1:2 THE CITV OF ST. LOUIS. 

WILLIAM CARR LANE, IN IS23 

The other opinion is that of the first Mayor of St. Louis, 
WiUiam Carr Lane, distinguished alike for his abihties and 
virtues during a prolonged, useful and honorable life. In 
1823, at his installation, addressing himself to the aldermen, he 
said : 

" The fortunes of the inhabitants may fluctuate, you and I 
may sink into oblivion, and even our families become extinct, 
but t/ie progressive rise of our ctty is morally certain. The 
causes of its prosperity are inscribed on the very face of the 
earth, and are as permanent as the foundations of the soil and 
sources of the Mississippi ! These matters are not brought to 
your recollection for the purpose of eulogy, but, that a suit- 
able system of improvements, may always be kept in view : 
that the rearing of the infant city may correspond with the 
expectations of such a miglity futurity T 

HUDSON E BRIDGE, IN 1851. 

The eminent citizen, now deceased, who is next quoted 
for his advanced views — given forty years since — was one of 
the most active and prominent citizens and whose intelligent 
opinions were always received with respectful consideration. 
A generation had passed away, since 1823, when Mayor Lane 
gave his views to the aldermen — quoted in this chapter — and 
the date of the address of President Bridge. The sun of St. 
Louis had risen higher and higher, railroads were just about 
to be commenced, one to the westward and the other to the 
eastward from St. Louis. The indications of the great future of 
the city were then so prominently outlined that the utterance 
of opinions — such as we shall quote — were received by the 
thoughtful citizens of that day WMth a hearty acceptance, but it 
is no disparagement to their foresight and intelligence to say^ 
that their greatest expectations have been so ftir exceeded by 
the growth of the city in every material interest that no lan- 
guage would now be too strong to express their sentiments. 

"Earnestness is the watchword of the men of St. Louis and 



ITS CONSTANT AND RAPID GKOVVTH. 13 

they well prove themselves worthy to be citizens of this 
goodly city whose future is so rich in promise. A bright 
and enviable destiny is before us. In this most fertile por- 
tion of the continent — throughout the great valley of the 
Mississippi — we find the most promising fields which a Benefi- 
cent Being has bestowed upon the human race. A hundred 
millions of our race are destined — at no very distant date — to 
inhabit this valley, then, where will the boundary of our 

city be? 

Situated as St. Louis is in the very heart of the Valley, and, 

comparatively speaking, in the center of the continent, may 
not the time come when the pulsations of her commerce shall 
be felt from Manitoba to the Southern Continent, and vibrate 
with equal intensity along the shores of the placid Pacific and 
the stormier Atlantic? 

The splendor of the ruins (jf the ancient cities in the val- 
ley of the Nile excite our wonder and admiration. But we are 
laying the foundations of a city, on the banks of the Great 
River, that will excel them in extent, wealth and refinement, as 
much as the mighty Mi.ssissippi exceeds the Nile in volume, or 
the Anglo-Saxon and Celtic races excel in energy and intellec- 
tual power the ancient Egyptians. Such hopes and expecta- 
tions may be considered wild and visionary by some, yet, will 
nevertheless be fulfilled." * 

JAMES E. YEATMAN, IN 1871 
We reproduce an extract from an address made to a 
St. Louis audience, twenty years ago, by an honored citizen, 
still living, in language of impressive eloquence, and in which 
every' active citizen will sympathise. 

He said: "Laclede must have had a prophetic vision of 
the coming greatness of the spot he was locating — it at least 
dmvned upon his mind ! The hand of Omnipotence seems to 
have drawn aside the veil so that he might have a gliuipse of 
the city of St. Louis as it nozv is. With its busy population, its 
crowded streets, teeming with life, its miles of storehouses, its 
machine shops and manufactures, its churches and school- 
* Extracf, from an address by H.idaon K. Uridtje, at tlie lifth anni- 
versary of tbe St. Louia Mercantile Library Asbociation, Jan. ;S51. 



14 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



houses and colleges. Its waters — no longer traversed by- 
barges of a few tons burden, propelled by sinews and muscles 
of strong men and occupy t?ig many months in making the voy- 
age from New Or/eans to St. Louis; but, by numerous vessels, 
propeled by steam — carrying vast burdens, and moving almost 
with the speed of the wind ! And the land, traversed by nu- 
merous railroads with their long trains freighted with human 
beings and the rich products of every clime, arriving and de- 
parting each hour and contributing hourly to the wealth and 
growth o[ his former little trading post, which he predicted, 
might beco)ne one of the most splendid cities of America /"* 

THEN AND NOW : iSp-iSc)!. 

The reference made above to the time of Laclede, the Pi- 
oneer, portrays the characteristics of the city in 1871 — v/hen it 
was a considerable town — and gives occasion for a comparison 
between //ttv^ and «^w: Showing, in part, the degree of de- 
velopment within the municipal area in the last twenty years. 



Ln and up to 



1871 1891 



Area of the Municipality, in square miles 

Park System, acreage, 

Sewers built, miles. 

Water Pipes laid, miles, 

Consumption of water daily, million gallons. 

Street Car passengers carried during year 

1890, millions. 
Street Railways, miles, 
Taxable valuation of real and personal \ 

property, millions, | j 

Rate of taxation, per cent, 

* Extract from the address by Jaiues E. Yeatinan, on the occasion 
of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the bt. Louis Mercantile Library 
Association, Jan. 18, 1871. 

t No record found. 

j The taxable valuation for 1871 was one hundred and twenty-three 
millions in " currency,"' which was then at a discount of tweyity i)er cent for 
sold. 




If -21 



Till: RKLATIVi: POSITION AMONG LEADING CITIES. If) 

CHAPTER IV. 

TIIF. KHLATIVn POSITION OP THP. CITY OP ST. LOUIS 
AMON(; TIIP LP.A1)IN(; COMMHRCTAL CITI1:S. 

The earliest settlements in the Mississippi Valley from the 
Atlantic states, were made — in successive decades — across the 
Blue Ridge Mountains to the Allegheny, Monongahela and the 
Ohio rivers, the Miamies, the Wabash, the Sangamon and 
Mississippi Rivers. The days of the great canals of Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio and Indiana were shortened by the advent of 
railways and " iron horse." The steamboat also lost its pre- 
eminence from the same cause, while its great utility remains, 
and will be grandly restored at no distant day ! The steamboat 
and barge will contiiiiie to be needed to carry, at a niiniuiuni 
of cost, the enormous productions — waiting to be transferred 
to the Gulf from the banks of the Mississippi, in the geograph- 
ical center of which great river sits the city of St. Louis. 

Everywhere throughout our country — from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific — tlie great manufacturing and mining interests 
have developed numerous prosperous towns and cities, a few 
of them have risen to eminence in the arts and general trade. 
Upon the Atlantic seaboard, besides the city of New York, 
there are the flourishing cities of Portland, Boston, Philadelphia, 
Baltimore, Norfolk, Richmond, Wilmington, Charleston and 
Savannah. And, on the Gulf: Mobile, New Orleans and Gal- 
veston. Lastly, in the valley of the Mississippi: Pittsburgh, 
Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, St. 
Paul, Kansas City and Memphis. Central in the great valley — 
the nearest of these cities being two hundred and the most 
distant six hundred miles — is our own city of St. Louis. 

The cities of Chicago, Milwaukee, Toledo, Cleveland and 
Buffalo belong to the La/^:e system of commercial cities, and all 
have tributary territory of greater or less extent. Those cities 
upon the Atlantic are very largely dependent upon the coast- 
wise and foreign trade and commerce, but receive large 
accessions from the West. All of the Lake cities are entre- 



10 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



pots of the productions of the Great North Western states in 
transitu to the seaboard. Neither of those cities have so large 
an area of productive surrounding country tributary to them as 
the direct market for the sale of their productions, and for their 
exchange in goods, wares and merchandise as the city of St. 
Louis, which is in fact the Metropolis of the Great Valley. 

THE POSITION OF ST. LOUIS AMID THE GREATEST 
FOOD PRODUCING FIELDS OF THE WORLD. 

This position is almost a central one and this agricultural 
district surpasses in fertility any other of similar extent upon 
the globe. With its great water facilities and numerous exten- 
sive railway systems — penetrating all those fertile fields — it 
possesses superior advantages over all other western points. 
St. Louis is at the centre of the great winter wheat and Indian 
corn belt of the United States. 

A table is here given of the crops for the year 1888 of part 
of the states, but not including several in lesser commercial 
relations with this city : 



States. 


Wiieat. 
Bushels. 


Corn. 
Bushels. 


Oats. 
Bushels. 


Missouri 

Illinois 


18,496,000 
33,556,000 
24,196,000 
15,900,000 
14,508,000 


202,583,000 
278.060,000 
278,232.000 
158,186,000 
144,217,000 


34,909,000 
137,400,000 


Iowa 


67,090,000 


Kansas 


42,654,000 


Nebraska 


26,177,000 


Total 


106,716,000 


1,061,278,000 


308,230,000 











A total of one billion, four hundred and twenty-six million, two hun- 
dred and twenty-four bushels wheat, corn and oats. 

The wheat crop of the United States for the year 1888 was 
414,808,000 bushels. And the five states named produced 20 
per cent oi the wholt? quantity. 

The corn crop for the same year was 1,987,790,000 bushels. 



GREAT DIVERSITY IN THE PRODUCTIONS. 17 

And, the five states yielded 58 1-2 per cent of that quantity. 
The oats crop was 70 J, 735, 000 bushels. And, the same states 
yielded 44 per cent of the whole quantity produced in the 
United States, and are those which are closely allied in busi- 
ness relations with this city. And, if these five states — whose 
resources are very far from being fully developed — have 
yielded so much of the whole production, then, when their 
entire area shall be brought under cultivation, the proportion 
will be yet greater, especially since most of the other states 
have reached their maximum in the yield of cereal crops. 

GREAT DIVERSITY IN THE PRODUCTIONS RECEIVED 

AT ST. LOUIS EOR SALE. DISTRIBUTION AND' 

EXCHANGE, i89l 

The productions received, are perhaps, more diverse in char- 
acter than those brought to any other original market in the 
United States, or the world, and consist in part of : All the 
cereals (grains), seeds, vegetables, fruits, wines, sugar, rice, 
tobacco, hemp, wools, cotton, furs and peltries, hides and skins, 
timber and lumber, butter and cheese, cured meats, live stock, 
horses and mules, granite, onyx, marbles and stones, lead, tin, 
zinc, copper, iron and coal, silver and gold. 

In exchange our merchants and manufacturers supply nearly 
every commodity and description of manufactured goods, ma- 
chinery and implements. 

The volume of the internal commerce of St. Louis in- 
creases annually in an even greater proportion than the popu- 
lation and development of the country. And that volume is 
not dependent upon any wicertamty, but, while ever the Great 
River continues to flow at our feet, so will our commerce come 
and grow with the years. 

But other towns within the great and fruitful territory of 
country reached by the commerce of St. Louis will continue to 
grow and flourish, whilst others still W\\\ " spring up." But this 
city can hardly ever fail to hold pre-eminence in the Great 
Valley as surely as that the city of New York will retain its 
supremacy over all the cities of the United States. 



18 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

COMMERCE OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, IN I89O. 



The past year, 18y0, was perhaps the most prosperous in 
the history of our city. Satisfaction, encouragement and dehght 
are all educed from the record. The successes of our indus- 
tries and enterprises of every description give tone to elevated 
thought and action in our undertakings for 1891, and until the 
decade is accomplished and the era of 11)00 shall be ushered in 
with its argosies of commerce from the Western Continents 
and Asia, Australasia and Oceanica, via an Isthmus route, 
coming to our port. 

The commerce of 1890, in tons shipped and received, was 
sixteen and a half millions as compared with fifteen and a half 
in 1889. No figures could demonstrate the fact better that our 
city is the centre of a system of an enormous volume of trans- 
portation and exchange. 

We give a few particulars, in illustration, in round figures, as 
follows : 

All grain received (flour reduced to wheat) : seventy-eight 
million bushels ; flour manufactured and handled six million 
barrels ; cotton received 587 thousand bales ; lead received 
140 million pounds; wools 21 million pounds; hides 28 million' 
pounds; butter 14 million pounds; potatoes laOO thousand 
bushels; coal 70 million bushels; sitgar 140 million pounds; 
lumber and logs G82 million feet ; live stock two and a half 
million head received. Of hog product, the total shipments 
were 380 million pounds. And of Ale and Beer, four and a 
half million packages were shipped. 

The aggregate tonnage received and forwarded was 10^} 
million tons, being 10 per cent greater than J 889. Of this 1^ 
million tons were by water. 



METROPOLIS OF THE COMMERCE, ETC. 19 

CHAPTER V. 

THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS: METROPOLIS OF THE COM- 
MERCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. 

Webster defines a metropolii, to be the " mother city," the 
" chief city," etc. 

MAGNITUDE OF THE TONNAGE. 

After an examination of the figures of the commercial tonnage 
of our city, which we shall produce below, it is expected, that 
the candid investigator will not deny us our claim to such 
growing eminence in commerce that it were rash to esti- 
mate its expansion. We shall carefully avoid making any 
claim for our city that can not be readily substantiated. The 
actual sum of the annual commerce of the Mississippi valley is 
a problem whose solution is almost as difficult as to predict its 
volume in the future. We can always find the sum in dollars 
and a descriptive list of the merchandise shipped from any port 
or city, or that passes through a given shipping gate: as the 
" Soo " canal, between lakes Superior and Huron, or the 
" Jetty " out to the Gulf of Mexico. But, the commerce of the 
great valley — all that goes into and is distributed along its 
rivers — including all that comes out of them, may not be 
enumerated, but only estimated. Yet, by coviparison of figures, 
we often find satisfactory illustrations of a problem so uncer- 
tain as that of the sum of the internal commerce of any of our 
several states or of the United States, since figures are only 
kept respecting the commerce with foreign countries. Ac- 
cordingly, we state, that, during 1889, 9,579 vessels of 
7,221,985 tonnage passed through the " Soo " canal of purely 
American, that is. United States commerce. The tonnage 
bound Eastward from the city of Saint Louis in 1890, via the 
Eads railway bridge and the Ferries — amounted to 2,735,595 
tons. And, the tonnage bound Westward by the same route 
from the East to, and beyond our city in 1890, amounted to 
4,898,358 tons. The total amount of freight received at St. 



20 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

Louis by railroads and river, in 1890, was 10,685,021 tons. 
And, the tonnage shipped from St. Louis, by railroads and 
water in 1800, amounted to 5,872,712 tons. The quantity in 
the aggregate was 16,507,788 tons of freight passed into and 
out from the City of Saint Louis, in the year 1800, or 9,285,708 
tons (full 125 '<) more than through the " Soo " canal. That 
the magnitude of the tonnage of our city may be better ap- 
preciated, we state, that the tonnage of vessels through the 
Suez canal, in 1889, was less than through the " Soo " canal, 
and less than forty per cent of the figures for our city. 

Consider then, that the tonnage of our city alone is ten 
millions of tons more in a single year than the whole tonnage 
of the Suez canal in the same time. What must not the tonnage 
of the entire Mississippi valley be ! And, consider that the 
tonnage of the Suez canal consists of the greater part of all the 
commerce of Asia and the Islands of the East Indian archa- 
pelago. And, if the tonnage of our great river, and of our city 
— in the center of its geographical system — are now so collossal; 
to what unknown magnitude will it not reach within only ten 
years more ? 

New York will continue to be the financial metropolis for our 
whole country, and the metropolis for a very considerable part 
of the agricultural productions of the Mississippi valley (in- 
tended for exportation), as well for the larger proportion of the 
imports of foreign merchandise'. And, while we are ready to 
allow that the city of Chicago shall continue to be the com- 
mercial metropolis of the Lakes, we rightfully claim for the city 
of St. Louis the supremacy of the commerce of the Great 
Valley. 

PROGRESSIVE GROWTH OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

It is valuable occasionally to call attention to some of the 
reasons for the continued development and steady growth of 
our city. The primary causes are found in Nature: Its un- 
equalled natural features, the geographical position, salubrity of 
climate and elevated topography; the unsurpassed productive- 
ness of a great tributary district — capable of supporting as 



PROGRESSIVE GROWTH. 21 

dense a population as any upon the globe; all the minerals the 
most necessary and valuable in the useful arts in exhaustless 
quantity, at the doors of the factories ; a system of navigable 
xvaters without rival in extent and utility ; a supply of whole- 
some water available at the cheapest cost and of sufficient 
quantity for a population of unlimited numberi. Such are 
some of the primary reasons for the development of a very 
great commerce and population, whose growth will continue, 
and whose prosperity will endure without limit of years or 
rivalry of neighbors. 

The secondary reasons, or artificial ones, are even more 
numerous and worthy of remembrance. First, there must be a 
g'ood fonndatio?t for every structure, otherwise the super- 
structure cannot be substantial. But, the basis of St. Louis' 
building being nature's own, and solid as the limestone 
rock underlying its thousands of acres; the superstructure 
begun years ago, has gone upwards and is still rising in height 
and spreading in lateral directions. Wc mean, of course, its 
commerce, zvcalth and population. Its numberless warehouses, 
homes and institutions are but the adjuncts of a high civiliza- 
tion and an intense enterprise. Secondly, the foundations of 
our home industries — begun a little more than fifty years ago — 
in the first steamboat, fiist steam engine and boilers; the first 
iron foundry and first steam floiir mill built by our mechanics 
and capitalists. From these early plants our great manufac- 
turing industry has grown up until its production has reached 
the value of three hundred millions of dollars in the year 1890. 
Finally, the continued rapid movement of the centre of popu- 
lation of the United States — moving westward forty-eight miles 
in the last decade — on the parallel of latitude of the city of St. 
Louis, and always the same since the first census, in 1790. 
Also, considering the unsidtablencss of the greater part 
of the continent westward of the state of Missom'i for the 
sustenance of a great population : there is ample ground 
upon which to base the opinion that the centre of population — 
at no very distant date — will rest at St. Louis ! We do not 
give this as a prediction, but as a reasonable theory that then 



22 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

our city will be the /oats of the national census at subsequent 
enumerations of the population of the Republic ; and within 
whose gates will be found the prime seat of poiver, covimeree mid 
Opulence of the Great Valley, if not of the Nation ! 

THE SCOPE OF THE TERRITORY WITH WHICH ST. 
LOUIS TRADES DIRECTLY. 

"Let us, then, be up and doinp:, 
Still achieving, still pursuing."* 

St. Louis trades directly with a very large proportion of the 
Sfites and Territories. The whole number equals thirty. The 
great South, Southwest, West and Northwest are, as is well 
known, increasing in population annually in a greater ratio than 
other parts, and it would not be extravagant to accord to them 
two-thirds of the whole population of the entire Union at the 
close of the century. Of such is the trade territory of St. 
Louis, namely : A part of Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ala- 
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana ; nearly all of Missouri, Arkansas 
and Texas ; a large part of the Territories of Arizona, New Mex- 
ico, Montana, Idaho, Utah and Indian (Territory). Also, a portion 
of the States of Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, 
Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Besides 
some firms send their travellers into, and sell to the States of 
Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, 
Georgia and Florida. 

New railroads, and extensions of others already built are 
annually constructed to connect with the city — both directly 
and indirectly — and they constantly swell the volume of our 
trade. 

As a focus and converging point for the Western trunk line 
systems of railways, our city equals — even excels — Chicago. 
And we have direct connections with the Eastern trunk lines 
and the Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, in- 
cluding Mexico and Canada and all towns of importance in the 
United States. 
* Longfellow. 



A CENTRE OF TRODUCTION, ETC. 23 

The follcnving additional railways have entered St. Louis 
ivithin the last Jew months: the Chicago, Burhngton & Quincy 
entered North St. Louis by the purchase of ground at a cost of 
three-fourths of a milHon dollars, and will build depots; the 
Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City railroad ; the Jacksonville, 
Southeastern & Chicago; the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis, 
and the St. Louis, Tennessee & Alabama railv/ay, which opens 
to us more completely a most valuable trade with Kentucky 
via Paducah, and, with the states of Tennessee and Alabama. 
And, lastly, the great system of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe, recently " absorbed " the " Frisco " trunk line and thereby 
obtained a direct and valuable connection with St. Louis. 

The Rivers also are increasing their tribute to the commerce 
of St. Louis. Within a few days past, (April, 18U1), a newly 
built steamboat has arrived from North Alabama, via Muscle 
Shoals Canal — ^just opened for the first time — and Tennessee 
River, in tow of several barges all laden with cotton and other 
productions of that fertile state. And, they returned carrying 
full cargoes of our merchandise. 

CHAPTER VI. 

ST. LOUIS IN MANUFACTURI'S AND COMMERCI'— A 

CHNTRI: OF PRODUCTION, CONVERSION AND 

LXCHANGE. 

ADVANTAGES AS A DISTRIBUTING MARKET 

As 2i railway centre, connected witii all parts of the continent, 
and in direct communication with all other business centres ; 
it is available on the most economical terms of freightage, and 
in the handling and distribution of the products of the soil, 
forest and mine, and of the workshop and factory, this city 
possesses very great advantages. 

Planted in the midst of the most productive agricultural and 
mineral region in America, whose resources are the products 
of the Valley of the Great " Longitudinal " River, which covers 
more than 30 degrees of longitude and 25 of latitude, down to 



24 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

the semi-tropics. Scarcely ^foju'th of this vast district has yet 
been tamed or developed from the primeval forest, and native 
prairie. The immensity of the volume of production in the 
future, of whatsoever ministers to the comfort or delight of 
man, when it shall all be utilized — from the sources of the Mis- 
sissippi to the Mexican Gulf, and from the western slope of the 
Alleghenies to the Rocky Mountains — cannot be estimated, 
and the yearly increase is simply incalculable. 

Within the geographical limits of the valley of the Mississippi 
— including its branches — it is estimated that a population of 
three hundred inillions of human beings could subsist and yet 
not exceed to the square mile a larger number than many 
countries in Europe. 

As if by magnetic attraction, St. Louis draws into her lap a 
very large and increasing proportion of all the productions and 
commerce of that magnificent district. And, is acquiring more 
and more each recurring season ; until, in time, the swelling 
flood will roll in — not to harm or destroy — but to enrich its 
people still more, and build up each vacant lot of ground with 
the dwellings of a mighty population. And — having verified 
Laclede's prediction — "becoming one of the finest cities of 
America " — will go on surpassingly. 

To assume the consummation of a future so grand there 
vmst be a fotmdation for the claim, and the />ossessw?z of all the 
elements necessary /o recewe, and the ability to 7itilize the 
incoming flood of commerce and population. The solid basis 
of this claim is found in the fact, that St. Louis possesses — in 
active daily business routine — all that, which, in the language 
of the counting-room, is called Production, Conversion and 
Exchange. 

^y Production, we understand all that is derived from " field, 
forest and mine." Con7>ersion\va^\\cs\.\\e consumption of food 
products and fuel, use in manufactures — changing the crude 
or rough material into different and more valuable forms and 
conditions — but, including all the uses and dispositions made 
of nature's productions. Exchange, is manifestly Commerce 
and Banking, the purchase and sale of all productions received 



A CENTRAL MART OF COMMERCK 25 

from abroad, or manufactured at home, and their distribution 
at large. Transportation is a necessary adjunct, and an essen- 
tial factor, but must be direct and cheap. In this respect St. 
Louis possesses special advantages of centrality and directness. 

A CENTRAL MART OF COMMERCE. 

Located on the Mississippi, at its centre, and near the con- 
fluence of the other greatest river of North America, the Mis- 
souri ; between the mouths of the Ohio and Illinois ; and 
closely connected with, and joined to the Great Railroad Sys- 
tems of the United States, Canada and Mexico — it is eminently 
situated for acquiring and holding a very great trade, in ever 
increasing proportions of value. 

Producers in the*agricultural and grazing ; the mineral and 
timber districts — upon all sides — seek this city for their point 
of conversion and exchange, as the most accessible, and direct 
market. In return, they take the goods and manufactured pro- 
ductions of our artizans and merchants. The extent of the 
territory dealing with this city from the four points of the 
compass, increasing annually in variety and volume compu- 
tation fails to fix a limit to its growth. 

The thousands of miles of railways leading from, and center- 
ing in this city — as to an initial and focal point, and, the 
thousands of miles of navigable rivers — bringing the productions 
of the Great Valley from the hills, mountains and plains : gold 
and silver bullion, fruit, wine and wool ; rice, sugar, cotton and 
tobacco ; wheat, maize, butter, cheese and meats ; timber, lum- 
ber, lead, iron and coal — all brought to the depots and wharves 
of St. Louis. Think of the annual increase of productions and 
new facilities to accommodate them ! Then inquire, '' What 
shall the limit be f the echo answers, " What f" This tide of 
commerce can no more be stemmed, or turned away from this 
city than the floods of money which incessantly pour their 
tides into the cities of New York and London. 

Other towns and cities within the area of the great districts 
which surround St. Louis will continue to grow and flourish 



20 TIIF. CITY OF ST LOUIS. 

Others still will spring up — in valley and plain, on mountain and 
shore — but, this city will keep, and cannot lose its position as 
the central mart of a continent any less surely than that the 
City of New York should ever fail of its supremacy over 
all other cities of the United States. 

STABILITY OF ALL MyVTERIAL INTERESTS OF THE 
CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

Conservatism in business ventures has ever been a leading 
trait of our citizens. And, it is occasionally charged, that they 
possess it too fully I But, the recent monetary pressure — 
beginning in London and sharply felt in America- — failed to 
move any of our financial institutions, large dealers or manu- 
facturers from their firm foundations. And this fact is the 
more remarkable as there were very few of our large cities 
which did not develop embarrassments and failures. And, 
when it is considered, that the manufacturing industry of our 
city, for the year 1800, amounted to the sum of three hundred 
millions of dollars, while our internal commerce added a sum 
vastly larger still : indicates a strength and vitality of which 
our people might well be proud. And, proof could not be 
stronger of our sound business sy stein and monetary strength, 
while the financial stability of our banks, merchants and man- 
ufacturers goes unquestioned. 

It can fairly be said, that rarely has any city made — within 
the term of a short decade — such percentage of progress in 
every element of solid growth as the city of St. Louis. 
None to-day possesses a firmer foundation of prosperity. Not 
a single drawback is now in view, or that could be adduced 
upon good judgment to prevent its steady development or mar 
its splendid prospects. But, on the contrary, there are num- 
erous tangible evidence of a degree of vitality and vigor which 
presage a future of surpassing power and wealth. 



THE I'OrULATlON AND GROWTH OF THE CITY. 27 

PART SECOND. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE POPULATION AND GROWTH OP THP ITTY. 

"Ye were but little at the tirst, but miglity at the last."--- 

ELEVENTH CENSUS, 1890. 

The United States Census Bureau in 1890 made the pop- 
ulation of the city of St. Louis 451,770 souls, and its growth 
in the last decade slightly more than one hundred thousand. 

The municipal authorities and most intelligent citizens 
claimed a thorough recount of the population, on the grounds 
that it was not skillfuly taken and that if carefully enumerated, 
it would count full lialf a million of people. 

Growth is manifest upon all sides : in commerce, manufac- 
tures, buildings and substantial improvements of every sort. 
Prices are daily obtained for unimproved ground and improved 
property in all parts of the city and suburbs at a rising value. 
New manufacturing plants are being built and the older 
ones enlarged — a process constantly going on. A mild climate, 
exemption from endemic diseases, cheap living, cheap fuel, cheap 
houses ; great advantages of primary, academic and collegiate 
education ; schools of science, art, technical instruction and a 
complete curriculum of education in all professions and pur- 
suits; the public libraries, and numerous other inducements add 
constantly to the population from abroad. 

ACCELERATION IN GROWTH. 

The population, wealth, commerce, etc., of our city has 
reached that point of fullness, when, as has been observed in 
the growth of other cities, remarkable for which were London, 
New York and Brooklyn when they acquired a population of a 
half million — the increase would be in a ratio beyond its previous 
experience. And it is apparent, that stcch an era of quickened 
*CliarIes Mackay. 



28 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



growth has reached this city. Its increase from this time for- 
ward will be proportionately faster: not only by reason of its 
accumulated bulk, but by gre^iicr atnmlativc poivcr. A ball of 
snow in the hands of a boy is a small affair. He rolls it in the 
falling snow and keeps rolling it until he can move it no 
longer. At this point he is joined by his comrades and the 
further they roll it the larger it becomes. And, it will gain 
more bulk mnv in an hour than it could make at the first in a 
day or week. 

CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



AREAS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS, 
(Excluding the River.) 

Territory within Limits, 1S39 





Acres. 


Sq. Miles. 


;, 1S39... 


477.2.5 


0.75 


1870 . . . 


. 1 ] .504.75 


17.98 


1876... 


. 39,27r5.25 


ni.37 


1891 . . . 


same. 


same. 



AIR LINE DISTANCES. 

Miles. 

Length of River Front 19.15 

Western City Limits 21.27 

" City from extreme North to South 17.00 

East to West 0.02 



TOPOGRAPHY AND HIGH AND LOW WATER, 
{Above tlie City Directrix — a stone and column at the Levee) 

Height of City Directrix above mean tide of the 
Gulf of Mexico, as determined by the "Mis- 
sissippi River Commission " 421.71 feet. 

Highest Stage of River— Jan. 27, 1844 7.58 " 

{Be loll' the City Directrix)) 

Lowest Stage of River — December 21st, 1803 .... 83.81 feet. 
Difference bet. highest and lowest stage of river . . 41.39 " 



THE MUNICIPALITY OF ST. LOUIS. 29 

CITY OF ST. LOUIS: ADVANTAGES OF HOME LIFE. 

Few large cities of our country have as many solid attrac- 
tions for family residence. Well constructed streets and 
thorough sewerage are met with in every developed district. 
Rapid transit — on upwards of 200 miles of street railways — 
is available, every five minutes and under, at a five cent fare 
for any distance. Institutions and societies for intellectual,, 
moral and physical improvement, and for rational delight are 
numerous. Libraries are open to the public at a merely nom- 
inal cost. The necessaries and luxuries of life are abundant 
and cheap. Gambling is forbidden by State and Municipal 
laws, which are rigidly enforced. And, the policing of the 
city — being rigid and active, there are few temptations or 
allurements which youth may not avoid. Finally, the climate 
is mild, and in healthfulaess St. Louis is equal to the most 
favored cities of the United States. And in most other re- 
spects, this cit^ is a most delightful place of residence. 

THE MUNICIPALITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

"Oh It is e.xcellent 

To havo !i triaut's .strenu:th." •» • 

GOVERNMENT. 

The "Scheme and Charter," setting forth the organic 
rights and privileges of the city government, its legislative 
construction and powers, and limiting its power of taxation 
was prepared by thirteen freeholders, who were elected by the 
people for that purpose under an act of the State Legislature. 
The city is governed by two legislative bodies chosen by the 
people, one known as the "Council," and the other as the 
"House of Delegates." The latter is called the Lower House, 
one member being chosen fron^ each city ward. And the 
former body, the Upper House, and is composed of thirteen 
members, chosen from the city at large on a general ticket. 

•'•'Shakespeare. 



30 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



The Executive Department of the City Government con- 
sists of the Mayor, Officers and Board, who are elected for a 
term of four years. 

The Austrahan ballot system was adopted by the munici- 
pality in 1890, and first used at elections that year. 

BONDED DEBT. 

A statement of the bonded indebtedness and general 
financial condition of the city is made up at the close of each 
fiscal year, the 9th of April. 

On the 9th of April, 1891, the bonded indebtedness of the 
city was ;^21,873,100. The debt bears interest at from 
three and a half to six per cent per annum. The inter- 
est on the bonded debt will be reduced by maturity of the 
older portions within a few years more to the iniidviuni rate. 

The bonded debt of the city has a limit provided for in 
the city's charter and is not being increased but annually de- 
creased. The credit of St. Louis is second to none in the 
United States. If securities were exempt from taxation in 
this city, as similar securities are in some other cities where 
issued, it is probable that renewal bonds issued during the last 
few years could have been placed at 3 per cent interest per 
annum. The imniicipal \.diX. rate is one and a half per cent for 
the old and one and a fifth per cent for the new city limits. 








REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY, 



31 



CHAPTER V. 

ASSESSMENTS OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY 
AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 

THE CITY OF ST LOUIS, 



Citj^of St. Louis. 



Rate of Municipal Taxation. 



Year 


Real Estate 


Real and Personal 


Old Limits 


New Limits 




''Currency" 


Valuations 






1S(U 
1870 
1871 


$ 5;{,205,820 
119,080,800 
141,011,48() 


$ 03,059,078 
147,969,000 
172,109,270 








Coin 


Valuations 






1880 
1S90 
1891 


$135,824,980 
214,971,000 


$160,493,000 
245,834,850 
252,031,820* 


$ 1 75 
1 50 


50 

90 a 1 50 



The assessment of 18G4is given to show valuations during 
the Civil PFrtr ; and of 1874, the year succeeding the financial 
panic of 1873. The years 1870 '80 and '90 are given to show 
the increase by decades. It will be seen, that the increase in 
real and personal property was only thirteen millions between 
1870 and '80, and that term marked the period oi great depre- 
ssion arising from the "panic" of 1873. But, for the last de- 
cade, (1880-'90), the increase has been ninety-two millions of 
dollars, or fifty-seven per cent. 

The m/^ of taxation has been gradually reduced, until 
now it bears comparison with the lowest rate of any city in the 
United States. 

-The assessments on real estate are maie biennially, and the assessment for 1891 
is prac.ically that of 1890 for rfal estate, the increase in ass ssments for 1891 over 1890 
is on personal property almost entirely 



32 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

VALUE OF BUILDINGS ERECTED IN ST. LOUIS IN 1890. 

The permits issued during 1890 for the erection of new 
buildings placed their value at nearly fourteen millions, but 
adding for actual cost when completed, that sum would be in- 
creased about 25 per cent, or seventeen millions of dollars 
actual value. 

THE STREET RAILWAfS. 

The number of chartered companies is seventeen. They 
operate upward of twenty lines, and traverse the city in all 
directions with two hundred and fonrteen miles of street rail- 
ways, counting single tracks only, but nearly all are double 
tracked. The motive power is mostly cable and electric. 
Horse power will be only of the past after 1891. 

The number of passengers carried in the year ending Dec, 
31st., 1880, was 68,105,501, being sixteen million more tnan 
in 1888. 

The return to the city register to March 31, 1891, shows 
an increase of nearly four million passengers carried over the 
corresponding quarter of 1890. It is estimated that for the 
year ending December 31, '91, and covering the period of the 
fall entertainments, the whole number will exceed that of 1890 
by twenty-five millions. 

COMPARISONS SHOWING THE PROGRESSIVE DEVEL- 
OPMENT OF SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE. 

SEWERS. 

In 1861 the aggregate length of Public and District 

sewers was 31 ^ miles 

In 1871 117 miles 

In 1881 202 1 miles 

In 1891 311 miles 

The total cost of these works was eight and a half million 
dollars. 



THE WATER SUPPLY, 33 

WATER SUPPLY OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

The City's Water Supply, while ample at present, is being 
largely increased. The work in process of construction in- 
cludes a stone and brick conduit seven miles in length and 
nine feet in diameter. The new water works are to be com- 
pleted in 1803, and will furnish an adequate supply of water 
for one million people. The cost of this large work is met by 
annual appropriations from the city's revenues as the work 
progresses, and when finished no additional debt \^'\\[\^-a.vq been 
incurred. 

The location of the new water works at "Chain of 
Rocks," Mississippi River, North, possesses special advantages. 
It will secure for all time water not contaminated by sewa(^e, 
as the "in-take" will be beyond all influence of town drainage, 
shore nuisances or washings incidental to the suburbs of a city. 

THF, LATE MUNICIPAL IMPROYEMEXTS. 

The municipality, in view of the public interest, has built 
within a iew years, seventy-five miles of granite block and 
other dnstless street pavements, reconstructed from " maca- 
dam" pavement, and eighty miles of limestone block paved alleys; 
instituted thorough and systematic street cleaning and sprink- 
ling, the latter upon three hundred miles of streets ; a complete 
system of lighting all streets and alleys by elect^'icity ; and the con- 
struction of a thorough system of sewerage. The enlarged 
water works, when finished as designed, in 1893 will supply 
one hundred viillions of gallons per day, 

THE CENTRE OF POLITICAL POWER. 

That distinguished statesman, Wilham H. Seward, averred 
in a speech made before a Western audience more than twenty 
years ago, that : " Power would not much longer linger on the 
narrow strip between the Atlantic and the slopes of the Alle- 
ghenies, but that the commanding field would be in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, where men and institutions would speak and 
communicate their will to the Nation and the world." 



34 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

The fulfilment of that prediction has come. Only a little 
more than one hundred years ago, the commonwealth of Vir- 
ginia ratified her gift — by deed of conveyance to the United 
States — of the " Noitlnvest Territory^' which then did not con- 
tain two thousand white persons, if we except the French set- 
tlements in the " Illinois country," opposite the site of St, 
Louis. And three hundred French inhabitants of that town 
constituted the whole of the Caucasian race west of Pittsburg, 
and north of the Ohio River. 

Of the 401 electoral votes cast for the chief magistrate of 
the nation in 1888, only 164 belong to the original thirteen 
colonial states ; and to the 237 votes which remain will be 
added at the next election, those of the 7tezu states since ad- 
mitted into the Federal Union. 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE REM. PROrERTY IN ST. EOUIS; ITS RAPID 
APPRECIATION IN VALUE. 

This city continues to draw the careful and marked attention 
of capitahsts and investors of other places. The fact became 
apparent to them that here is a most promising ^r/^ for invest- 
ment. And that in the race for pre-eminence St. Louis is not 
a small competitor, but one whose grand future may not be 
disparaged. 

At no period in the histoiy of St. Lovis have the conditions 
been as favorable for the investment of capital in buildings and 
unimproved ground as at the present time. No " booming" — as 
that word is commonly understood — is indulged here, but 
the ^intrinsic and rapidly appreciating value of real estate is 
manifest to intelligent observers, and especially to those who 
take the pains to investigate. 

Unlike some other towns in the West, the people of Saint 
Louis are not given to wild speculation. Prices are meas- 
ured according to the value when changing hands. And, 
it has, as a general rule, ever been profitable to buy the real 



THE PRESENT ACTIVITY IN REAL ESTATE. d;> 

estate of this city, whether improved or unimproved. After 
the financial panic of 1873, the city experienced a depression 
in the market value of real estate — in common with the whole 
land — but being held largely by strong owners, the decline 
was less perhaps than in any other large Western city. Few 
other cities of the United States at the present time offer equal 
prospects, or present as ample assurances of substantial early 
returns for capital invested in real estate. 

This city is chiefly owned by its citizens, and in this respect 
differs from most other large Western cities. Out of a' popu- 
lation of half a million, there are upwards of 00,000 tax payers ; 
which is indicative of the comfortable position of the inhab- 
itants at large. 

THE PRESENT ACTIVITY IN REAL ESTATE 

Never before in our history — in the absence of all mere 
speculation — has the market for real estate in this city been 
as bouyant and active as at the present time. While the market 
value of real property every where largely depends upon the 
general prosperity of its locality, property in ^z/;* ^rzVy possesses 
an intrinsic 7>alue of rare degree, which will always justify the 
low, but steadily advancing prices of the market of to-day, to- 
morrow and next year. 

It is of interest in this connection to note the following 
table, showing the assessed value of property at different dates 
during the last decade. 

BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE LAST THIRTEEN YEARS, OMIT- 
TING ALTERNATE YEARS 

Most of all the purchases of lots, in recent years, have 
been for early or immediate improvement, and building permits 
have kept pace with the transfers of ownership. The permits 
of the last few years — omitting every other year and beginning 
with 1878, the year previous to the resumption of specie pay- 
ment, have been as follows : 

1878 ^2,432,508.00 

1880 3,783,832.00 

1882 , 0,103,545.00 

1884 7,310,085.00 

1880 7,030,819.00 

1888 8,029,501.00 

1890 13,052,700.00 



36 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

These figures do not represent the actual sum expended : 
since few buildings are ever completed for the estimated cost, 
and it is reasonable to add one-fourth more, if so the total for 
buildings in 1890, would be seventeen millions of dollars. 

REAL ESTATE VALUES. 
The steady increase in the value and demand for the real 
estate of this city is made possible only by growth in manu- 
factures and commerce. Population comes as a consequence. 
At no previous period were the prospects as promising as at 
the present for rapid development in all the material interests 
of the city. 

THE MARKET VALUE OF REAL ESTATE BEFORE AND AFTER 
THE RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS, JAN, I, 1879. 

The period of eighteen years of an exclusive paper curren- 
cy — adopted at the beginning of the Civil War, as the money 
of the Republic — unregulated by coin value, gave rise to an 
abnormal valuation of all property, — both real and personal — 
until the panic of 1873, brought all prices to naught ! But, 
on the resumption of coin payments, January 1st, 1879, a new 
era was ushered in, when all property reached a basis of coin 
valuation. The value of the real property of St. Louis — then 
at a specie price — has been adhered to ever since. 

Since then, real property values in this city have steadily ad- 
vanced, and is due to causes wholly apart from speculation. 
Higher and higher appreciation have been occasioned solely 
by the normal growth of the city in population, manufactures 
and commerce. But, all these have been stimulated through a 
constant demand for public and private improvements — regu- 
lated by prudence and wise municipal legislation, influenced 
by the splendid enterprise of individual citizens and corporate 
bodies through their private works. 

INCREASING APPRECIATION. 

That our city is receiving each succeeding year a higher 
and higher appreciation from strangers — liomeseekers, and 
capitalists, manufacturers, merchants and investors — is an as- 



MODERN BUILDINGS. 87 

surance of value. This expression of outside favor has been 
gained largely from printed information in regard to our city- 
conveyed to persons of intelligence and abundant means who 
were chosen to be recipients. Now that an active interest has 
been awakened, it is a clear deduction that it should be 
retained and kept lively by a continued dissemination of cor- 
rect information, relative to the progress of our city. The 
value of such course is illustrated by the results of continued 
blows upon the rock : Xh^Jitst blozv makes little impression, but 
when repeated, the mass is reduced to manageable conditions ! 

MODERN BUILDINGS AND STREETS 

Strangers who visit the city now — after the lapse of a half 
dozen years — find few familiar sights : where once stood the 
plain and unpretending brick house now stands the stately 
business structure of artistic model and finish. And the erst 
ivhile muddy and dusty streets are no longer met, but he finds 
instead dustless, well sprinkled thoroughfares paved with 
granite blocks. 

LAND TITL-ES, 

Titles to real estate in the city of St. Louis are, as a rule, 
clear and unimpeachable. The "Concessions," or grants of 
land and lots of ground during the French and Spanish own- 
erships were duly made, and were executed i)i the presence, 7)l\\6. 
under the seal of the Governor of " Upper Louisiana," and 
were recorded in the " Livres Terriei^y These were after- 
wards transferred, together with all the " Papers " and •' Docu- 
ments " of the " Archives," to the custody of the United States, 
in 1804, and are preserved, with duplicates — in the Record 
Office, (St. Louis), — having been transcribed into other books of 
record. 



-=°e>§^ 



38 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

CHAPTER V. 

THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF SAINT LOUIS. 



THE PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS. 

" Armed, from the Thunderer's brow, 

Leaps forth each Thought of Light."* 

The Public Schools of St. Louis are not excelled by those 
of any other city for thorough education, discipline and gen- 
eral advantages. The pupil may pass from the primary class 
through all the grades up to, and through the High and Nor- 
mal schools without paying tuition. 

The system of Public Schools embraces a complete organ- 
ization, beginning with the Kindergarten and ending with the 
High and Normal Schools. 

There are seventy-eight separate schools in this system, vary- 
ing in size from the modest one-room school to the schools 
which occupy stately three-story edifices — having from twelve 
to twenty-four commodious school rooms — with all the modern 
improvements for lighting, heating and ventilation. The Pub- 
lic School system includes seven free Polytechnic evening 
schools, six of which have preparatory departments of instruc- 
tion in the more elementary branches. There is also a free 
school for Deaf Mutes attended by thirty-four pupils. There 
are seventy-six free kindergartens connected with the public 
schools. 

Nearly sixty-two thousand pupils were enrolled in these 
schools during the last scholastic year, and were instructed by 
twelve hundred and nine teachers. 

These schools occupy in all, one hundred and eleven 
buildings, varying in size to suit their respective localities. 

The lots of ground occupied by these buildings are val- 
ued at ;^852,661.80, and the buildings and furniture ^2,991, 
806.30 at moderate valuations. In addition, the Board of 
Public Schools controls realty valued at one and a quarter 
million dollars, held exclusively for the production of a perma- 

* Schiller. 



EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF ST. LOUIS. 39 

nent revenue. The income of that portion of this property 
which is leased, amounts to sixty thousand dollars annually. 

The total revenue for school purposes, including a four 
mill city tax and the state school fund, amounts to over one 
million dollars annually. 

The course of study is broad and comprehensive, including 
with its requirements nearly all that can reasonably be expected; 
and the methods of instruction and modes of discipline com- 
pare favorably with the best in the country. 

These schools aim not only to give the best possible intel- 
lectual, moral and physical education, but to prepare the pupil 
for good and successful citizenship. That these schools are 
appreciated by all classes of citizens, is attested by the charac- 
ter of their patronage. The enrollment includes the names of 
children from families provided with ample means, and from 
those in the most humble circumstances. 

The school population (between the ages of six and 
twenty), on June 1, 1885, was 108,454 of which four and one- 
half per cent were colored. The increase in five years, to June 
1, 18'JO, is estimated to be 12,002, total 120,446. Most pupils 
leave after a school attendance of four years, and few attend 
who are over fifteen years of age. In the last scholastic year, 
there were 25,000 children in attendance at other than the public 
schools. Thus showing an attendance at all schools of about 
a hundred and fifty thousand pupils of and under fifteen years 
of age. 

FINANCIAL ENDOWMhNT AND POSITION OF THE PUBLIC 

SCHOOLS. 

The president of the Board of Public Schools published 
the 3Cth Annual Report, 1890, from which the following in- 
formation is gleaned. The estimated resources of the School 
Board for the current year, which will end June 30, 1891, is 
ascertained to be ^1,317,000.00 and is derived severally, from 
taxation, ^98(3,000.00 ; state school funds ^105,000.00 ; rents 
;^58,000.00 and, interest on deposits and funded securities 
^10,400.00. 

From the revenues the Board provided for the mainte- 



40 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

nance of schools, including thirty-four new school rooms. 
And, besides added the sum of ^205,000.00 to the building 
fund, of which sum ^25,000.00 was transferred to the New High 
School fund. Further the Board retrenched expenses for the 
johool year, without in any wise impairing the efficiency of the 
scnools and had a cash balance on hand at the end of the year 
of ^115,358.52. 

The Board had under its control several valuable parcels of 
real estate, (which were not derived from the state or national 
government). They were eligibly located, advancing in value^ 
and yielding revenue. These the Board deemed it advisable 
to transfer to the Permanent Fund, but at a reasonable valua- 
tion, which aggregated the sum of ^105,524.80. At the same 
time the Board possessed in its Permanent Fund and unin- 
vested, upwards of two hundred thousand dollars. 

The President states the very interesting fact, that tJie 
School Board is the largest single real estate oivner in the city. 
Aside from its proprietorship of school lots, buildings and fix- 
tures — which aggregate nearly five million dollars at the prime, 
or original cost, (but now of considerably larger value) — it is 
the owner of what is termed " revenue real estate," of an esti- 
mated value of ^1,200,000.00, nearly all of which belongs to 
the Permanent Fund. The revenue only can be used for 
school purposes, since the principal sum is, under the law, to 
be maintained without impairment. 

In consequence of the movement of the resident population 
further westward, the Board is warranted in recommending the 
sale of several special pieces of property, which are near the 
east end of the city, and with the proceeds thereof to establish 
new schools in more convenient locations. 

PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

These are very numerous, complete and admirable. They 
cover a wide area of educational territory. They comprise acad- 
emies, seminaries, colleges, universities, and parochial schools ; 
schools of divinity, law, medicine and surgery, pharmacy and 
dentistry ; of telegraphy and short hand ; of book-keeping and 



AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. 41 

penmanship ; of mining and assaying ; of literature, science 
and music; of sculpture, drawing and painting; of fine arts, 
sciences, literature and the drama. Also, mechanical training 
for boys, and cooking and sewing for girls, etc. 



PART THIRD 



CHAPTER I. 

THE AGRICULTURAL AND MF.CHAMCAL ASSO- 
CIATION. 

This has long been a favorite institution, not only of the peo- 
ple of the city of St. Louis, but to many of the surrounding 
states. It was founded in ISr)."), and held its first fair in 1850. 

The annual exhibitions of machinery, implements of hus- 
bandry and numerous other products of the factory, but 
especially of farm products, are simply wonderful both in their 
variety and extent. The fair attracts each year hundreds of 
thousands of visitors during the five days of the annual shows_ 
The displays of live stock — cattle, sheep, swine, horses and 
mules — are scarcely equaled in the United States and not 
excelled in any country for the variety and superiority of their 
valuable breeds. A public Zoological Department is an 
attractive adjunct of the Fair. 

The Fair was suspended during the civil war, but re-opened 
October, 1866. It has been held annually ever since and will 
be continued while interest in the rural and mechanic arts shall 
last. The area- of the fair grounds plat is eighty acres and, 
including the grounds of the race course, one hundred and 
forty-three acres. The whole is improved with needful and 
tasteful buildings, conspicuous among which is the ajup hi theatre, 
capable of sheltering and seating comfortably fifty thousand 
persons. 

The Club House of the race ground department is a very 
complete and magnificent building. It is said to be the finest 
of any of its sort in the United States. 



42 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

THE PERMANENT EXPOSITION AND MUSIC HALL 
ASSOCIATION. 



" Bids hiiu forget what things have been, 
Life's toil and strain." 



The Exposition and Music Hall building is the largest and 
finest of any yet constructed in the United States for similar 
purposes : an annual exposition of improved machinery, of 
inventions and designs; of mineral, agricultural and pomologi- 
cal productions, goods, wares and merchandise, and of paint- 
ings and works of art in general. Besides these, are its 
unsurpassed entertainments in the choicest music. Nearly six 
hundred thousand visitors were in attendance during the last 
term of six weeks, in 1890. 

This magnificent edifice occupies the area of two blocks of 
ground, and the superficial space covered by the building is up- 
ward of six acres or 280,000 square feet. The site of the Ex- 
position structure was formerly Missouri Park, and was licensed 
by the Municipality to the incorporators for a term of fifty years, 
ground rent and taxes free. The incorporators are enterpri- 
sing citizens, who seek no direct profit from their investment, 
but whose design is to provide entertainments, instruction and 
refined pleasures suited to the tastes and wants of the day and 
age in which we live — not only during the season of the annual 
exposition, but at all times throughout the twelve month. 
The Grand Music Hall has a seating capacity for four thousand 
persons, and standing space for a thousand more. 

The splendid enterprise and ability of the Board of Directors 
of this popular institution have received from citizens the fullest 
appreciation. It is an established institution. The early views 
and aims of its projectors and founders have been completely 
realized and they have laid an enduring foundation. The ever 
increasing numbers of delighted visitors is the most potent 
expression of their appreciation of its merit and of the cultured 
tastes of the visitors themselves. 




I' 



liifiK. 



li'llii!' 



'Illf'i 



I:! 



;i,j|llllili!ll' 



44 THE CITY OF ST LOUIS. • 

CHAPTER II. 

THE ENDURING VALUE OF THE PERMANENT EXPO- 
SITION. 

The splendid advantages and increasing delight that have 
attended this popular institution during the past seven years 
have encouraged the management to make greater preparation 
than ever before. 

The city of St. Louis, being possessed of the qualifications 
necessary for the " World's Fair," desired to have that great 
distinction and made earnest efforts to secure it. Such effort, 
supplementing the efforts of the city of Chicago, shaped the 
fijial fesiilt and determined the location to be, not at the sea- 
board, but at the Great West ! 

Although our city lost the location and Chicago gained it : 
the gratification which ensued thereupon was only secondary to- 
what it would have been had St. Louis been chosen instead. 
From the day that the decision of Congress was made giving 
the Columbian Exposition to the " City by the Lake,'' the peo- 
ple of St. Louis cheerfully acquiesced and resolved to be grandly 
represented at Chicago. 

But, having established at large expense several years 
ago, a Permanent Exposition : St. Louis cannot afford to close 
it ill i8gj, and will continue it for the benefit of the city and 
the contemplation of visitors from abroad. St. Louis will do 
its full share in showing the visitors to the International 
Exposition, its part of central North America, when they come 
to see us, as they assuredly will. 

A SIGHT OF ST LOUIS. 

Visitors will be shown the fine natural site of a Great 
City, whose surroundings of rich and varied natural resources 
have supplied much of the material out of which the super- 
structure of the nation has been built. That young Nation, 
whose excelling power and grandeur fills the world with wonder ! 

The jaunt of the excursionist from Chicago to St. Louis 
will cover seven hours of time and 280 miles of distance through 



GRAND ANNUAL ART DISI'LAY. 45 

the grandly improved prairie country of the State of IlHnois. 
At the end of the journey, he will behold the " Father of 
Waters " and the Great Bridges of St. Louis. There he will 
find numerous natural and artificial attractions : magnificent 
public parks and boulevards, park statuary of eminent men of 
the past of both hemispheres ; the public botanical garden, art 
museum and the Permanent Exposition. Besides these and 
many other institutions, he will find the city of St. Louis at- 
tired in glowing garments, decorated by day and illuminated 
by night as the result of a lavish, yet judicious expenditure of 
money, taste and art. 

CHAPTER in. 

THE CRAM) ANNUAL ART DISPLAY. 

"In Fairyland, whose streets and towers 
Are made of gems of liglit and (lowers." 

Lalla Rookh. 

It has come to be an established custom — during each 
fall season — to present to the public view beautiful, taste- 
ful and magnificent displays, in processions and parades^ 
accompanied with brilliant street illuminations. 

COMING OF THE VEILED PROPHET. 

"The Great Mokanna. O'er his features hung 
The Veil, the Silver ^'eil, which he had flung 

* * * * to hide from mort;il sight 

His dazzling brow till man could bear its light." 

Veiled Prophet of Khorassan. 

But, it is claimed that he is not t/iat prophet ! Upon a 
stated night, the Veiled Prophet and his embassadors and 
retinue, appear upon the streets — sitting and standing upon 
''floats" on wheels — and in dress and character represent" 
ing mythology, races of men, history, discovery, etc. — in 
tableaux — resplendent in light and most charming to the 
senses. The pageant comprises a score or more of floats, each 
accompanied by a band of accomplished musicians. 

This delightful and ever instructive display to the masses 
is witnessed annually by several hundred thousand people 



46 THE CITY OF ST. LOUlS. 

— and represents a large outlay of labor and money by the 
members of the Veiled Prophet Association and a few other 
individuals of taste and enterprise. The procession being 
ended, a grand ball and reception follows which is held in the 
largest and most eligible hall. 

THE AUTUMNAL FESTIVITIES' ASSOCIATION, ITS DESIGNS 

AND WORK. 

The Association — ^just organized — is representative, in the 
composition of its membership, of every phase of the business 
life of the city of St. Louis, and is made up of citizens who are 
conspicuous for ability, activity and experience. The Asso- 
ciation has undertaken to raise, through free contributions, the 
sum of o}ie million dollars during this year and the next two 
years. The money is to be expended partly upon popular in- 
struction and entertainments in the way of public presentations 
of art lessons, drawn from wide and varied fields, and made 
during the usual " te}vi of fori y days of the fall festivities." 

The earliest work of the Association will be given to the 
public during the present year, ISOl. The work of 1892 will 
be of increased excellence, but that of 1893 will far exceed 
both of its predecessors. These years promise to be the most 
notable for splendor in public spectacular exhibitions of any in 
the annals of the city. The presentations, while charming to 
the eye, will afford instruction to the mind through their im- 
pressive object lessons in art. 

The reputation of St. Louis having been widely spread 
abroad for the best and most brilliant popular presentations 
and illuminations known to the people of the United States, — 
and even surpassing those of Europe, — has impelled the Asso- 
ciation to make endeavors to eclipse their former record through 
the coming presentations, and to spare neither time nor money 
in its work for the attainment of its object. 

Visitors from the old countries of the world will see the 
great Mississippi Valley, i^'hich only one hundred years ago was 
a linldcriicss, inhabited only by wild beasts and zvilder ina7i, but 
now subdued, inhabited and controled by cultured and refined 



PU15L1C PARKS, SOUARES, GARDENS, ETC. 47 

people, whose training and whose acquirements in all arts 
and refinemenls place them on an equality with the highest 
civilization of the foremost nations of the earth! 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE PUBLIC PARKS, SOUARPS, GARDENS, ETC. 

"How all ihe world is made for each of us." * 

The Park system of St. Louis is truly grand and is fairly 
considered equal to the best in any other city. In acreage it 
is only slightly less than that of New York City, which exceeds 
two thousand acres. In their general characteristics of natural 
and artificial beauty and attractivrness our parks are unsur- 
passed. In one of them — Tower Grove Park — the artistic 
adornment excels any other in the United States, and travelers 
state, that it is not surpassed by any in Europe. It is a 
driving park of upward of two hundred acres. It is further 
adorned with statues in bronze of heroic size, executed at large 
cost by distinguished European artists. There are three other 
driving parks, one of which — Forest Park — contains fourteen 
hundred acres. 

THE PUBLIC BOULEVARDS AND DRIVES. 

The public boulevards and drives are upon wide streets and 
avenues — some of which arc one hundred feet and upward in 
width — are numerous and are adorned with beautiful and 
costly dwellings, churches and public buildings. The munici- 
pality, aided by private taste and means, have now under 
construction several grand public boulevards of one hundred 
feet in width and of a length of nine miles. 

THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. 

This public " botanical " garden consists of fifty-four acres. 
It is justly esteemed a treasure of floral wealth and "a gem of 
purest ray serene " set in the municipal tiara. In native and 
exotic shrubs and trees, plants and flowers in their number 
and variety, extreme rarity and beauty, this " garden of the 
gods " is the finest in " all the land," 
*Robert Browning. 



48 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

The garden is free to the pubHc under reasonable restric- 
tions. It was a gift to the city by the late Mr. Henry Shaw, 
who spent much money and thirty years in rearing it, and 
dying in 1880, devised the garden together with much other 
valuable property to the municipality of St. Louis. As he 
loved in life to wear a floral crown of his own twining, is it un- 
reasonable to wish that his brow be now decked with a chaplet 
of more enduring and unfading verdure? 

LATITUDE, TOPOGRAPHY, TEMPERATURE HEALTH 

The city is in latitude 38 degrees, 28 minutes north, and 
longitude 89 degrees 36 minutes west. From the east front 
there is a gradual rise reaching a height of 200 feet at its west- 
ern limit six miles distant from the river. The suburban 
country for upward of ten miles beyond the western limits is 
distinguished for fine elevations and the beauty of the natural 
scenery. Several railways and street car lines furnish frequent 
and rapid transit during the day and evening between the city 
and its environs. 

Very great extremes of cold or heat m summer or winter are 
experienced in this city. 

The rate of mortality will compare favorably with the health- 
iest cities of the United States and is less than some other 
cities that are accounted very healthy. The annual death rate 
per thousand taken from the records of the Commiissioners of 
Health for the last thirteen years, was as follows : 



1878 


1879 


1880 


1881 


1882 


1833 


1884 


LS85 


]88f) 


1887 


1888 


1889 


1890 


18.2 


18.! 


18.9 


22.7 


196 


20.4 


19.0 


18 7 


20. r, 


2».7 


20.40 


17.78 


18.45 



The births in the year 1890 exceeded the deaths by forty- 
nine percent. The mortality rate for first quarter 1891, 19.G. 

The sanitation of the city is carefully regulated, being con- 
trolled by science and observation. Small Pox recently 
appeared — in a few cases — and was immediately " stamped 
out." 

The streets of the city are swept and cleansed daily, and 
sprinkled with water the greater part of the calendar year. 



LATITUDE, TOPOGRAPHY, TEMPERATURE, HEALTH. 49 

THE CLIMATE OF ST. LOUIS.* 

The year 1890 completes 20 years of climatic observations 
as recorded in the Signal Office, and a brief review of this 
record will give a fairly good idea of the climate of the city 
and, at the same time, refute to a considerable extent the gen- 
erally accepted idea that the summers of St. Louis are exces- 
sively hot. Any resident of St. Louis will admit that during 
nine months of the year (Sept. L^th to June 15th) its climate 
is a comfortable one in which to dwell, and the record shows 
it to be about what our latitude and local surroundings entitle 
us to. 

The average annual percentage of " wholly clear " days is 
34 per cent, of " partly cloudly " days 39 per cent, of 
" cloudy " days 27 per cent, and of " days on which rain falls " 
31 per cent. TJie mean annual tcnipeiaturc is §^.§ degrees ; 
rainfall j8.^ inches. 

The highest temperature was 100.4 on Aug. 12th, 1881, and 
the lowest 2L5 below zero on Jan. 5th, 1884. During 20 
years the highest temperature recorded has exceeded 100 
degrees four times, being 101 degrees in 1874 and 1880, 102 
degrees in 1886 and the 106 above noted. In '78, '79 and '87^ 
100 degrees was recorded, and during eleven of the remaining 
years a temperature of 95 degrees or more is recorded, with 
94 degrees in '46 and 93 in 1889 as the lowest maxima for the 
period. The maximum for each of the 20 years is recorded as 
having occurred eleven times in July, seven times in August 
and twice in June. 

The months of June, July, August and September are the 
ones in which the greatest extremes of heat occur, and we find 
their daily average maximum temperature to be as follows : 
June 83.4, July 87.2, August 85.9, and September 77.9 degrees. 
The fact that the extremes occur usually in July and August, 
and the further fact that the high temperature for June is due 
to the last half of that month being usually slightly less than 
July weather, and the figures for September being so low as to 
show that month to be as a rule very comfortable, both are 
*Prepared by Lieut. F. II. Day, Signal Corps, U. S. Army. 



50 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

omitted in the following comparison. A careful comparison of 
the monthly average maximum temperature at St. Louis with 
that recorded for Cincinnati and Louisville shows that the gen- 
eral average daily maximum for those cities, like that given 
above for St. Louis for the same period of years and the same 
months, differ from that for St. Louis in about the same degree 
as do the monthly averages, and at the same time gives a 
fairly accurate idea of the summer climate of Cincinnati and 
Louisville. The figures are as follows : 

Highest ever Elevation above 
Julv. Aug. recorded. sea abmU 

St Tvouis 87.2 8ri.9 106 500 ft. 

Cincinnati 86 8 8:^8 103.5 WO ft 

Louisville 88.1 86.2 105 475 ft. 

The elevation of these cities above the sea is about the same, 
their local surroundings differing but slightly, and all being 
situated on one of the great rivers, in practically the same lati- 
tude, being thus subjected to about the same climatic influences. 
From these figures it can easily be seen that the statement at 
the beginning of this article is true. 

To carry the comparison further, to include the cities of 
Omaha and St. Paul, differing from the cities mentioned only 
in the matter of greater elevation and a much higher latitude, 
we find : 

Highest ever Elevation above 
Julv. Aug. recorded sea about 

St. Louis 87 2 85. y 106 500 ft. 

Omnha 8y 4 82 8 105 1025ft. 

St Paul 82 8 80.1 100 725 :t. 

From which we are forced to the conclusion that St. Louis 
for the summer is not a hotter place in which to reside than 
any of these cities except St. Paul, and that the latter is not so 
distressingly cool in comparison. 

The best evidence on the point at issue is to be found in the 
daily range of temperature, for the difference between the 
maximum and minimum recorded for each day tells us in 
unmistakable language how comfortable the day's temperature 
has been. The average daily miniinum temperature for Jtdy 
and August in St. Louis is yo.g and Sy.g, giving an average 
daily range in each nionth of i6 degrees and i8 degrees, show- 
ing that one can dwell here during the summer tJi comparative 
(omfort. 



JIFFERSON BARRACKS AND U. S. ARSENAL. 5l 

STATUES OF EMINENT AND FAMOUS MEN, 

Statues of eminent citizens of former years and famous 
men of home and foreign birth, have been erected at different 
times in the pubhc places. The last one is that of Ulysses S. 
Grant. The others are of Thomas H. Benton, Francis P Blair 
and Edward Bates, eminent in the national councils. Also of 
Columbus, Shakespeare and von tlumboldt. All were made 
at great expense by eminent artists. The last three were exe- 
cuted at Munich. 

An equestrian statue of Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, also 
a statue of James B. Eads are now in the workshops of the 
artists and will be in place by 1893. 

CHAPTER V. 

JEFFERSON BARRACKS AND U. S. ARSENAL. 

The government established a military station near St. 
Louis at the period of the cession of the territory of Louisiana 
in 1804, and has manitained it ever since. Jefferson Barracks 
was built upward of sixty years ago and the Arsenal soon 
afterward. The original purpose was the maintenance here 
of a corps de reserve of the army. Few other army posts have 
been found as agreeable and pleasant to the officers of the 
army in consequence of the climate and social advantages of 
St. Louis. 

From the beginning of the establishment of the national 
ownership of the country, and especially from the date of the 
founding of Jefferson Barracks near this city and its occupa- 
tion by detachments of the United States Army, the city of 
St. Louis has given from the ranks of her fair and accom- 
plished women, her daughters in marriage to officers stationed 
at the Post, among whom were some of the ablest and most 
distinguished soldiers of the Mexican and Civil wars. 

Recently the Headquarters of the Department of Missouri 
were removed from Fort Leavenworth to St. Louis, and is 
expected to remain in view of the special advantages. 



52 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. * 

MEMORIAL ART BUILDING, 

Was built by Mr. Wayman Crow, now deceased, who 
dedicated it, together with its treasures in art, to the memory 
of a favorite son, who died early. It contains a large number 
of rare works of art, in statuary and paintings, etc., selected 
from different schools and periods of art history, many of which 
were obtained at a great cost. These attractive galleries are 
open daily to the public. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons 
— from one o'clock — they are /ni'. 

ARTISTS AND ART COLLECTIONS. 

St. Louis has given birth to, and been the adopted home 
of a number of painters and sculptors of distinguished merit, 
some of whom survive and are still residents. A few private 
collections — owned by citizens of taste and wealth — contain 
rare works of art. 

THE ST LOUIS SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS 

Has a large patronage. Its yearly work developes an 
increasing taste for art culture among the people of this city 
and surrounding districts, and draws numerous pupils. 

The choice of that accomplished gentleman, the chief of the 
St. Louis School of Fine Arts, for the Art Directorship of the 
Columbian Exhibition, in 1803, one of the highest positions in 
the management of that great enterprise, is not only a high 
compliment to him, but is a most favorable endorsement of the 
Art School of our city, whose able work and methods are not 
only appreciated at art centres, and by admirers at the East, 
but have been copied of late by the large art schools o^ East- 
ern cities. 

MUSICAL SOCIETIES. 

Musical societies are numerous, and many are eminent 
for talent and genius. Especially so is the St. Louis Choral 
Society, composed of both amateur and professional artists of 
great merit, 



].ITEKATUKE, AUTHOKSIIIP AND ART. 53 

THE DRAMA AND OPERA, 

The people of St. Louis are liberal patrons of the drama 
and opera. They have ever been specialiy devoted to art 
iimsic in vocalization ; and there is an increasing taste for good 
music in all its forms, a sure indication of growth in refinement. 

There are a half a dozen large and handsome theaters and 
opera houses. 

THE HOTELS 

Of St. Louis are numerous and well appointed. Some, for 
size and elegance, are not inferior to the best of other cities, 
and while in comfort and appointments they are not surpassed, 
their charges are less. 

The hotels are equal to the task of caring for the numer- 
ous great assemblies of people from the country at large, 
gathered here within a few years past. The central position of 
this city, the hospitality of its citizens, agreeable climate, and 
the reasonableness of the prices of its hotels, all combine to 
make our city a popular and favorite place for the holding of 
conventions by organized bodies. But, each autumn, during 
the period of the annual Fair, Exposition, Musical Enter- 
tainments, Illuminations, etc., the hotels entertain daily, with- 
out crowding, many times ten thousand strangers. 

THE CHURCHES. 

Most of the denominations of Christians found in other 
American cities are represented here. 

Many of the church edifices are large and costly, and for 
architectural taste they will bear comparison with the best 
structures of other cities. 

CHAPTER VL 

IJTERATURE, AUTHORSHIP AND ART. 

"Our echoes roll from soul to soul, 
And grow forever and forever."* 

In St. Louis there has been a very marked proclivity to- 
*Tennyson. 



54 THE CITY CF ST. LOUIS. 

word authorship in later years, and the number of cultured 
writers in general literature, the sciences and fiction is not 
small. The larger number are essayists and writers for maga- 
zines. A few of these are notable, and a number of authors 
have gained celebrity. Within fifty years, this city has devel- 
oped as many as five hundred writers and authors, many of 
whom have earned permanent places in literature. 

NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 

"Beneath the rule of men entirely great, 
The pen is mightier than the sword, 
The arch enchanter's wand — ''* 

The newspapers and other periodicals of the city number 
nearly one hundred and fifty: Dailies, weeklies, semi and tri- 
weeklies, monthlies, etc. 

The dailies of this city occupy a position at the front of the 
journalism of the country at large. They are not excelled for 
ability and enterprise, while for size and daily circulation they 
vie with the great papers of the other large cities. 

THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIBRARIES. 



OPEN TREASURE HOUSES OK PURE GOLD. 



[HE PUBLIC LIBRARY, 



This popular library containing nearly eighty thousand 
volumes is the largest library west of the Mississippi. The 
reading room is supplied with over two hundred daily aud 
weekly newspapers and other periodicals both domestic and 
foreign. 

This library was organized to supplement the free public 
school system of the city, and is under the control of the Board 
of Education. The reading room and reference department 
are entirely free, and any resident of the city may obtain full 
privileges of membership at nominal rates, viz, ^2 a year for 
adults, $\ a year for minors. 
*E. Lytton Bulwer. 



PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIBRARIES 55 

The construction of a new Public Library buildin ; has been 
undertaken by the School Board and will be in character with 
all the needs of the institution : the expense being secondary 
only to size and safety, utility and elegance. 

THE NEW BUILDING OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCA- 
TION AND PUBLIC LIBRARY 

This much needed new structure, Northwest corner of 
Ninth and Locust streets, is now under construction. Its site 
is very eligible. The plans adopted by the Board and ordered 
carried out will insure all the requisites of such an edince, and 
it will be one of the hadsomest buildings in the city. 

The area of ground covered by the structure will be 18,970 
square feet. Front on Locust 127 feet and on Ninth street 
110 feet. Height seven stories. The sixth and seventh stories 
are appropriated to the library and will afford a floor space of 
nearly 28,000 square feet. The apartments of the hbrary will 
be elegantly finished, and the furniture will be of the latest 
and most approved designs. 

Large additions of books will be made immediately upon 
the removal from the Polytechnic to the new quarters. 

The contract price of the new building is ;^325,000, which 
added to value of the ground, will make the sum of full a half 
million of dollars. 

THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 

Was organized in 1846, under the presidency of James E. 
Yeatman, who is now its oldest surviving member. The 
growth of the library can best be shown by comparing the 
figures published in the first and latest printed annual reports, 

those for 1849 and 1890 : 

1849. 1890. 

Members 371 3,809 

Volumes in library 2,781 75,G79 

Annual circulation in vols 2,9!I0 186,139 

Receipts for the year $2,822 44 % 51,791 81 

Valuauion of property 4,G33 62 757,906 26 

In 1851 the Association purchased its present site, on the 



56 THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 

southwest corner of Broadway and Locust St., and erected a 
building, into which the Hbrary was shortly moved. This 
building finally became overcrowded, and in 1887 it was 
demolished, and a new one built on the same site. The new 
building cost ^^883,000.00 furnished. 

THE OTHER LIBRARIES. 

Of the city are not few in number, the property of literary 
and other societies. The library of the "Bar Association" 
contains upwards of twelve thousand volumes. 

PRIVATE LIBRARIES 

The libraries of Washington and St. Louis Universities are 
extensive and very valuable. The library of the latter institu- 
tion contains 80,000 volumes, many of which are rare editions 
of Latin folios of the earlier years just succeeding the 
introduction of the art of printing. There are some other 
libraries owned by private citizens that are very select and 
valuable. 

MORE LIBRARIES— AN ENDOWMENT NEEDED. 

The Mercantile Library Association has ever been popular 
and prosperous, and never more so than now. The usefulness 
of all libraries is increasing and spreading throughout the city. 

More libraries are needed : one in West, another in South, 
and still another in North St. Louis. What an opportunity is 
here presented to men of wealth to build and endow libraries 
and reading-rooms! , 

If James Smithson, a liberal-minded foreigner, could leave 
— dying fifty years ago in London — a bequest of half a million 
of dollars to the " Government of the United States of 
America," having for its object the "increase and diffusion 
of knowledge among men," and a half dozen Americans since 
have endowed great libraries, will not rich men in St. Louis 
follow their noble examples? 



APPENDIX. 



REPORT OF THE CENSUS OF IS9O ON THE MANU- 
FACTURING INDUSTRIES. 

The time of the publication of this work has been unavoid- 
ably delayed in consequence of the great task of obtaining 
statistics of the Manufacturing Industries of our city from 
several thousand establishments. 

But, the Chief Special Agent for taking the Census of the 
Manufacturing Industry of the city of St. Louis for the year 
1890, informs us that he has not yet finished his work, or for- 
warded his final report to the Bureau at the National Capitol. 

Following his instructions to the letter, he forwarded daily 
to the Bureau the schedules of the manufacturing industries 
collected by him, and retained no copy. And, we are informed, 
there is a probability that the Bureau may not be ready to give 
out the consolidated report till next year, 1892. Having 
anxiously awaited the receipt of that completed work : we have 
— in the dilemma occasioned by its absence — availed ourselves 
of otJier data (derived directly from the chiefs of industries and 
other reliable sources, including personal experience and 
knowledge obtained through years of observation of the daily 
progress of our industries) and we are confident that the tabu- 
lated result which we present to our readers will give a fair 
measure of satisfaction to our people. 

We seek through the publication of this work, to inform 
strangers of the phenomenal growth of our Manufacturing 
Industries, and also to present a review of our Commerce and 
General Development of the city within the last decade, 1880- 
1890 

ST. LOUIS, JUNE 6. 1891. 



58 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY OF THE CITY OF 
ST. LOUIS IN 1880 AND 1890 COMPARED. 



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT. 



1S80 From the Offichil Census 

ISUO Estimated from Keliable Data. 

For New Industries 



Capital. 



} 



$ 50,S12,SS5 00 
127,000,000 00 



Production. 



$ll4,333,37r, 00 
285,000,000 00 

25,000,000 00 



And, thus showing an increase — in round numbers — of 
seventy-six millions in capital and one hundred and seventy- 
one millions of dollars in production in the year 1890, over 
and above the same items in the year 1880, 

This phenomenal increase in capital employed, and in an 
" output " of tivo and a half times, or i^o per cent iticrease 
zvitJiin a single decade, will not surprise our well informed citi- 
zens, but cannot fail to attract the attention of strangers to the 
wonderful industrial and monetary power of the city, as well 
as to the activity of our people and the extraordinary resources 
of the surrounding country which made such results possible. 

Superadded to the sum of ^$285,000,000 — the production 
of 1890 in the sajne industries of those in 1880 — is the sum of 
twenty-five millions for NEW industries introduced since the 
census of 1880. The most considerable of which are electric 
and cable power, electric lighting and all electrical industries. 
The total production of 1890 is thus raised to three hundred 
and ten millions of dollars, or 265 per cent, in excess of the 
annual production of 1880. And, it should be remembered, 
that the value of raw materials was higher ten years ago, and 
that therefore the price value of manufactured goods teas less 
in 1890, while the quantity zvas more. This was especially the 
case in wheat and tobacco among other staple raw material. 

Under the heading of capital in our table is included the 
"plant" — in ground, buildings and machinery — which is 
capital as conclusively as available cash. 

The reader is referred to page 60 for figures to show the 
remarkable increase in some lines of manufacturing industry 



RAILROADS AND " BRIDGK yVRBlTRARY." 59 

beyond the general average, or from 100 per cent, up to 500 
per cent, in current value, when the buying power of a dollar 
is considerably more than in 1880. It is valuable to know — 
as showing the healthy condition of our industries — that with 
the exception of iron and fiour production there has been fio 
decrease in any industry, while quite a number of new and val- 
uable additions have been made. The flour product of mills 
outside and inside the city owned and operated by the St. 
Louis millers is gteater, but the quantity made within the city 
only is less. See Statistics of flour output and distribution 
in the second series of this work. 

If anything were necessary to illustrate the greater share of 
our manufacturing industry in the growth of our city, it would 
be the phenomenal showing of the census of 1890. There is 
no question now, (and we conceive there never was any in 
fact), that its growth within the last forty years has been due 
in a far greater measure to development as a manufacturing 
centre than to increased business as a centre for the distribu- 
tion of coniviercial products. 

THE RAILROADS AM) "BRIDGE ARBITRARY." 

The great systems of railways connected with our city are 
not only monuments to the enterprise of their founders, but 
tributes to the magnitude and value of the commerce of our 
city which gave them birth and nurtured them till they were 
strong and powerful. The interests of the business community 
and the railroads rest upon reciprocity of benefits and mutual 
dependence, and can never be otherwise. Reciprocity conceded 
prompts mutual concessions, but never proud defiance ! Let 
the question of the " Bridge arbitrary " be settled satisfactorily, 
quickly and conclusively. 

But, while we most earnestly advocate the work of the 
permanent Improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi 
River, we do not mean to undervalue the utility of the railroads. 
Their grand agencies in the past and indispensibility at the 
present, claim not only our friendship, but pride and admiration ! 

The railways will always command a prodigious traffic in 



60 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 



passengers, and a much greater freight traffic, even on river 
hnes, than the water route can command, except in the cereal 
crops. The competition of the River does, not actually harm 
the railroads, but, — through the natural progression of trade 

laws — Jiclps them. 

* 

ESTIMATES EROM RELIABLE DATA OE THE GREAT 

LNCREASE LN A FEW AMONG MANY OE THE 

LEADING INDUSTRIES, WITHIN THE TEN 

YEARS, ENDING 18()0, IN THE 

CITY OE ST LOUIS. 



INCEEASE OF THE MANUFACTUE- 

ING INDUSTRY OF THE CITY 

OF ST. LOUIS. 



Boots it Shoes (for wholesale only) 

Chewing & Smoking Tobacco, Snufl'& ") 

Cigars i 

Drugs & Chemicals, Patent Medicines "1 

& Compounds ' . . . j 

Malt Uiciuors 

Carriages & Wagons 

Bagging & Bags, Hemp, Flax «fc Jute . . . 
Bread, Crackers & other Bakery Products 
Brick & Tile (and Sewer Pipe, 1S90). . . . 

Paints & Varnishes (including Oils) 

Furniture, Spring Beds & Mat 

Tin, Copper & Sheet Iron Wares 

Confectionery 

Men's ( "lothing 

Car Building, Railroad & Street 

Increase 



PRODUCTION. 



FROM TUK 

CKNSUS OK 

1880. 



Amount. 



\ 834,594 00 
4,813,709 00 

2,311,833 00 

4,535,630 00 
l,'il4,236 00 

867,000 00' 
2,575,350 00 

701,032 00 
2,625,460 00 
2,114,983 00 
1,337.550 00 
1,158,185 00 
3,425,167 00 
1,100,800 00 



$30,015,589 00 
86,984,411 00 



$117,000,000 00 



KKOM RELIABLE 
DATA IN AD- 
VANCE OF THE 
KEl'OH I' OF CEN- 
srs FOR 1890. 



Amount. 



$5,000,000 00 
18,000,000 00 

7,500,000 00 

22,000.000 00 
4,500,000 00 
2,500,000 00 
7,500,000 00 
8,000,000 00 
7,500,000 00 

12,500,000 00 
6,000,000 00 
3.000,000 00 
7,500,000 00 
5,500,000 



$117,000,000 00 



$117,000,000 00 



Thus showing an increase of eighty-six millions of dollars, 
or 287 per cent., in fourteen leading industries, and justifying 
the estimate of ir)0 per cent. — averaged on all industries, but 
exclusive of tiveiity-five millions for uezv industries — over and 
above the census of the year 1880. 



Table of Contents. 



FIRST SERIES 



PART FIRST. 

PAGES. 

TITLE 1-2 

DEDICATION 3 

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION 5 

CnAPTEK 

I THE CITY OF SAINT LOUIS: Beginning and Rise. From 
Spain to the United States. Decline During the Civil War 
and Complete Recovery. Early Future. Characteristics of 
the People 5-7 

II. THE NEW CITY. How Old St. Louis has Changed. Municipal 

and Private Buildings and Improvements. The Columbian 
Exhibition. Future of the Mississippi Valley and the City 
of St. Louis 8-9 

III. THE SITE OF ST. LOUIS ASSURES ITS CONSTANT AND 

RAPID GROWTH. The Early and Later Opinions of Men 
of Ability: Laclede, 1764, Brackenridge, in 1811, William 
Carr Lane, in 182.3, Hudson E. Bridge, in 1851, James E. 
Yeatman, in 1871. Then and now : 1871-1891 .... 10-14 

IV. THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE CITY ST. LOUIS 

AMONG THE LEADING COMMERCIAL CITIES. The 
Position of St. Louis Amid the Greatest Food Producing 
Fields. Statistics. Great Diversity in the Productions 
Received at St. Louis for S.ale, Distribution and Exchange, 
1891. Commerce of the City of St. Louis, in 1890 15-lS 

V. THE CITY^ OF ST. LOUIS : Metropolis of the Commerce of the 

Mississippi Valley. Magnitude of the Tonnage. Progres- 
sive Growth of the City of St. Louis. The Scope of the 
Territory with which St. Louis Trades Directly 19-22 

VI. ST. LOUIS IN MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE— A centre 

of Production, Conversion and Exchange. Advantages as 
a Distributing Market. A Central Mart of Commerce. 
Stability of all Material Interests of the City of St. Louis. 
23-20 



PART SECOND. 

CHAPTER 
1. THE POrULATIOX AND GROWTH OF THE CITY OF ST. 

LOUIS. Eleventh Census, 1870. Area of the City at Dif- 
ferent Periods. Advantages of Home Life 27 -2S 

II THE MUNICIPALITY. Its Government. Bonded Debt. As- 
sessments of Eeal and Personal Property. Pate of Taxa- 
tion. Value of Buildings Erected in 1890. 29-31 

III. The Street Railways. Their Mileage and Passenger Traflic. 

Development of the City's Area in Past Decades. The 
Water Supply. New Water Works. Late Municipal Im- 
provements. The Centre of Political Power, 32-33 

IV. THE REAL PROPERTY' OF ST. LOUIS. Its Rapid Apprecia- 

tion in Value. The Present Atitivity in Real Estate. Build- 
ing Permits the last Thirteen Years. Real Estate Values. 
Tlie INIarket Value of Real Property Before and Since the 
Resumption of Specie Payments, January 1, 1S79. Modern 
Buildings and Streets. Land Titles. 34-37 

V. THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF ST. LOUIS. The 

Public Free Schools. The Private Schools — in all Depart- 
ments of Learning. 38-40 



PART THIRD. 

CHAPTER ^ 

I THE MECHANICAL AND AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONT 

THE PERMANENT EXPOSITION AND MUSIC HALL 
ASSOCIATION. 41-43 

II THE ENDURING VALUE OF THE PERMANENT EXPOSI- 

TION. A Sight of St. Louis. 44 

III THE GRAND ANNUAL ART DISPLAY. COMING OF THE 

VEILED PROPHET. THE AUTUMNAL FESTIVITIES 
ASSOCIATION. Its Designs and Work. 45-46 

IV. THE PUBLIC PARK SYSTEM. The Boulevards and Drives. 

The Missouri Botanical Garden. Latitude, Topograplij-, 
Temperature, Health. The Climate of St. Louis. Statues 
of Eminent and Famous Men. 47-50 

V. Jefferson Barracks and United States Arsenal. Headquarters 

Department of Missouri. The Memorial Art Building. 

Artists and Art Collections. The St. Louis School of 

Fine Arts. The Drama and Opera. Musical Societies. 

The Hotels. The Churches. 51-53 

VI. Literature, Authorship and Art. Newspapers and Periodicals 

The Public and Private Libraries, The Public Library. 
The New Building of the Board of Public Education and 
Public Library. The Mercantile Library Association. 
Other Libraries. Private Libraries. More Libraries 
and Endowment Needed. 54-58 

APPENDIX. 

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY OF THE CITY OF ST. 
LOUIS IN ISSO AND 1S90 COMPARED 

THE RAILROAD AND BRIDGE ARBITRARY 

ESTIMATES FROM RELIABLE DATA OF THE GREAT IN- 
CREASE IN A FEW AMONG MANY OF THE LEADING 
INDUSTRIES, WITHIN THE TEN YEARS, ENDING 
1S90, IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 



64 



THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. 




o 



ex: 



C^ 



c^ 









K 

e-^ 

o 



o 



cr: 



OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES. 

MERCANTILE CLUB. 



OFFICERS. 

President, 
J. B. CASE. 

Vice-President, 
JOHN H. TERRY. 

Secretary, 
E. II. COFFIN. 



STANDING COMMITTEES. 



w. 



Treasurer, 
J. GILBERT. 



House Committee. 
J. H. TERRY, 
Cliuirman. 

J. M. JORDAN, 
J. D. BASCOM. 

Finance Committee. 
GEO. D. BARNARD, 
F. R. RICE. 

Building Committee. 
GEO. D BARNARD, 

Cliiiiriuan. 
GEO. F. DURANT, 
JOS. M. HAYES. 

Committee on Legisla 
tion and Public Allairs. 



Board of Directors, 
J. B. CASE, 
JOHN H. TERRY, 

E. H. COFFIN, 
W. J. GILBERT, 
GEO. D. BARNARD, 
J. D. BASCOM, 
J. M. JORDAN, 
S. N. TAYLOR, 

F. R. RICE. 



J. E. McKEIGHAN, 

Chairman. 
N. O. NELSON, 
J. C. WILKINSON, 

D. I). WALKER, 
CHAS. NAGEL, 

Ex-officio. 
J. M. JORDAN. * 

Com. on Entertainment. 
S. M. KENNARD, 

Chairman. 
C. E. BARNEY, 
II. D AUG HAD AY, 

E. S. PIERCE, 



J. S. MOFFITT, 

Ex-officio. 
J. H. TERRY. 

Com. on Transportation 
L. B. TEBBETTS, 

Chairman. 
GEO. W. BROWN. 
J. N. FAITHORN, 
II. M.MEIER, 
JONATHAN RICE, 

Ex-offlcio. 
E. IL COFFIN. 

Com. on Postal Allairs. 
II. M. POLLARD, 
Chairman. 

E. C. SIMxMONS, 
B.NUGENT, 
W. T. HAYDOCK, 
R. J. COMPTON, 

Ex-officio. 

F. R. RICE. 

Committee on Press. 

C. H. SAMPSON, 
Chairman. 

T. B. BOYD, 
FRANK GAIENNIE, 

D. R. HAYNES, 

E. F. WILLIAMS, 

Ex-officio. 
J. D. BASCOM. 



MEMBERS MERCANTILE CLUR. 



Abbott, A. L. 

Adams. B. S. 
Adreon, E. L. 
Aglar, F, B. 
Aglar, Jas. F. 
Alback, J. B. 
Aldrich, Chas 
Alexander, F. E 



Boogher, J. L. 
Boogher, J. P. 
Boogher, S. L. 
Booth, J. N. 
Boyd, T. B. 
Bradford, F. E. 
Branch, J. W. 
Breckenridge, S.M, 



Allen, Chas. ClallinBroderick, J. J 
AUerton, S. W., Jr.Bronson, E. P. 
Anderson, L. E. Brookings, R. S 
Andrews, J. VV. Brownell, B. H 
Annan, T. B. Brownell, F. B. 

Arnstein, Alb. Brown, Benj. 
Augustine, G. H. Brown, Chas. I 



Averill, A. M. 
Ayer, Jas. I. 

Babcock, L. B. 
Bailv, C. H., Jr. 
Baker, C. A. 
Baker, Geo. A. 
Baker, I. G. 
Baker, James E. 
Bakewell, Faul. 
Ball, Chas. C. 
Banrierman, Jas. 
Barnard, G. D. 
Barnes, C. W. 
Barney. C. E. S. 
Barns,' W. E. 
B artlett, Geo M. 
Barstow-, C. W. 
Bascom, J. D. 
Bavrd, E. A. 
Becktold, W. B. 
Benedict, A. W. 
Berkley, E. F. 
Bernheimer, M. 
Berry, H. S. D. 
Bevis. A. 
Bierman, L. 
r.irge, J. C. 
Bixby, W. K. 
Black nier, L. R. 
Blaine. W. T. 
Blako, C. R. ■ 
Blewett, Benj. 
Block, G. M. 
Blodoett, W. H. 
Blossom, H. A. 
Boeck, A. 
Bollman. Otto. 
Bonner, B. R. 
Bonsack, F. C. 
Boogher, Frank. 



Brown, G. W. 
Buel, J. W. 
Bnllen, C. W. 
Biilkley, Wm. M. 
Bullock, R. B. 
Bunn, S. C. 
Burg, Wm. 
Burnet, Geo. 
Butler, J. G. 
Butze, A. 

Cairns, J. G. 
Cale, G. W. 
Calhoun, D. R. 
Camp, J. P. 
Campbell, Given. 
Campbell, J. W. 
Carr, A If. 
Carruthers, T. B. 
Case, F. C. 
Case, J. B. 
Chandler, H. W. 
Chandler, J. G. 
Chandler, Jeff. 
Chappell, W. G. 
Chartrand, M. R. 
Cbauvenet, Ijouis 
Chesbrough, J. M 
Chesebro, C. P. 
Christensen, Chas 
Church, A. C. 
Church, S. C. 
Churchill, J. O. 
Clark, A. H. 
Clark, A. M. 
Clark, B. W. 
Clark, C. W. 
Clark, H. H. 
Clark, S, H. H. 
Clark, W. H. 
Clarke, C. E. 



Clements, J. H. 
Clifford, A. 
Cobb, C. W. S. 
Coffin, E. H. 
Cole, J. J. 
Collins, 3Iartin. 
Collins, Thos. R. 
Colman, C. D. 
Conant, T. P. 
Conzelman, Theop 
Compton, R. J. 
Cook, A. E. 
Cook, D. G. 
Coste, Paul F. 
Coquard, L. A. 
Co vie. J. F. 
Crabb, J. D. 
Cram, Geo. T. 
Crane, C. S. 
Crawford, D. 
Crawford, H. A. 
Crossman, Henry. 
Crouch, John. 
Crunden, F. P. 
Cunningham, E.Jr 
Cunningham, P. J 
Cupples, Sam'l. 

Damsel, W. H. 
Darst, H. R. 
Daugherty, D. P 
Daughaday, H. 
Davis, H. N. 
Davis, C. R. H. 
Dawson, J. P. 
Dav, N. B. 
Day, A. W. 
Dean, Chas. I.. 
Delalield, Wallace 
Desnoyers, J. B. 
Dickson, Jos. 
Dickinson. A. W. 
Dittman, W. H. 
Doddridge. W. B. 
Donahoe. Martin P 
Dozier, L. D. 
Dreves, A. W. 
Drummond, J. T. 
Dury, F. W. 
Dula. R. B. 
Durant, G. F. 

Eddy, A. A. 
Edenborn, Wm. 
Edgar, S. C. 
Eiseman, B. 



Eiseman, D. 
Ellis, II. G. 
Emery, F. B. 
Ewing, A. B. 
Ewing, J. F. 

Faithorn, J. N. 
Farish, J. H. 
Farrah, J. C. 
.Ferris, Franklin. 
Finkelnburg, G. A 
Fisher, I). D. 
Fisher. H. A. 
Fisse, W. E. 
Flaven, Jas. 
Flersheim Geo. 
Fletcher, J. J. 
Florida, A. K. 
Flournov. T. S. 
Fordyce. S. W. 
Foster, Chas. 
Fowler, F. E. 
Fox, H. L. 
Frankenthal, Alb. 
.Franklin, Jos. 
Frost, L. E. 
Fuller. A. H. 
Funk, W. A. 
Furber, P. P. 

Gait, S. P. 
Gaiennie, Frank 
Ganahl, J. J. 
Gates, J. W. 
Gauss, C. F. 
Gilbert, W. 
Gilbert, W. J. 
Gleason, C. H. 
.Glogau, Emile. 
•Graham, B. B. 
Green, H. H. 
Green, M. E. 
Green, O.H. 
Green, R. W. 
Green, Sam'l E. 
Greensfelder, J. B. 
Greenwood, M. Jr. 
Gregory, C. R. 
Grether, J. 

Hall, L. M. 
Haley, J. P. Jr. 
Hamilton, S. W. 
Hammett, B. F. 
Hammond, C. W. 
Handlan, A. H. Jr. 



MEMBF.RS MERCANTILE CLUB. 



Ilanenkamp, R. P 
Harlow, J. IJ. 
llriydel, II. L. 
llaydock, D. W. 
Uaydociv, W. T. 
IJays, C. M. 
Hayes, J. M. 
Ilaynes, D. 11. 
Heath, W. P. 
H(uuy, R. L. 
Hicks, P"rank. 
Hidtlen, Edw. 
Hicatt, H. C. 
Hit'iuenz, Henry. 
Hicham, Clias. C. 
Hiil, Walker. 
Hills, C. bi. 
Hirblil)erfi:, F. D. 
Hobart, li. F. 
Hodges. W. li.. 
Hogaii, J. V. 
Holmes, Ira. 
Holton, E. K. 
Hollowuy, W. L. 
Holmaii, M. L. 
Hopkins, James. 
Horrocks. rJas. 
Hortoii, Will. M. 
Hough, U. S. G. 
Hoiiser, 1). M. 
Howard, E. T. 
Howard, L. J. 
Hovt, E. R. 
Hufnagel, W. H. 
Hull, L. L. 
Huttig, C. H. 

Ingals, J. O. 
Irwin, J. D. 

Jackson, J. C. 
Janssen, E. C. 
Jaynes, C. A. 
Jennings, D. F. 
Jenkins. C. T. 
Jester, E. T. 
Johnson, J. B. 
Johnson, M. P. 
Jones, Breck. 
Jones, E. A. 
Jones, G. P. 
Jones, J. E. 
Jones, W. E. 
Jordan, J. M. 
Joy, C. F. 
Joy, J. E. 



Kaime, J. E. 
Keeler, B. G. 
Kelirman, S. Jr. 
Keller, Geo. 
Kelley, A. T. 
Kendrick, J. S. 
Ivenna, E. D. 
Kennard, 8. M. 
Kennedy, W. P. 
Kerens, ii. G. 
Kerr. J. P. 
Kilgen, R F. 
Kilpatrick, Claude 
King, Goodman. 
King, J. W. 
Kiusella, W. J. 
Knapp, C. W, 
Knaupp, F. !S. 
Knight, Milton. 
Knight, G. H. 
Koch, A. 
Kroeger, B. F. 
Kurtzeborn, Aug. 

Ladd, H. C. 
Lange, W. B. 
Lawrence, Frank 
Lawrence, J. J. 
Lawson, Thos. 
liSeds, J, S. 
Lawton, C. A. 
Legg, J. B. 
Lehman, F. W. 
Leighton, J. F. 
Leonard, W. F. 
Leschen, Henry. 
Levis, IjCo. 
Lewis, G. H. 
Lewis, J. R. 
Liggett, H. S. 
Lindley, C. P. 
Lindsley, D. B. 
Link, T. C. 
Little, P. B. 
Lloyd, H. A. 
Loveland, E. B. 
Ludington, F. 11. 
Lyle, R. B. 

MacLaine. Geo. 
Malin, J. D. 
Mann, G. R. 
Mansur, A. 
Mark ham, G. D. 
Markham, W. H. 
Marks, D. A. 



Marques, P. L. 
Martin, C. L. 
Marx, H. N. 
Maverick, G. M. 
May, Harry. 
McCartney, Thos 
McClure, C. D. 
McCormick, S. T 
McGrew, G. S. 
McKeen, M. M. 
McKeighan, J, E 
McKellops, H. J. 
.McKelvey, S P. 
McLean, T. M. 
McMillin, E. 
McMillin, Wm. 
McNair, J. G. 
McNeil, G. C. 
Meier, F. 
Meier. II. M. 
Meier, E. D. 
Mekeel, C. H. 
Mermod, A. S. 
Mersman, Otto 
Mever, 11. J. 
Michael, E. 
Miller, A. P. 
Miller, Edgar 
Mills, Richard 
Miltenberger, M.B 
MolHtt, J. S. 
Morrill, II. L. 
Morrison, R. W. 
Moss, H. M. 
Moss, T. J. 
Moslier, A. A. 
Myers, J. B. 
Myers, G. S. 



Noonan, R. M. 
Xorris, E. R. 
Nugent, B. 
Nugent, C. VV. 
Nugent, D. C. 

Obear, Frank 
Opp, Fred. 
Orr, W. A. 
Orrick, J. C. 
Oyler, Geo. K. 

Parker, C. A. 
Paramore, F. W. 
Pearce, C. E. 
Parker, G.W. 
Peacock, J. R. 
Peckham.O. II. 
Peckhani, Geo. C. 
Perrin, A. M. 
Perrv, G. W. 
Phelps, H. W. 
Phelps, W. H. 
Phillips, J. W. 
mckel, W. 
Pierce, E. S. 
Pierce, N. G. 
Pogue, H.B. 
Pollard. II. M. 
Pond, F. II. 
Portia, T. J. 
Portis, T. G. 
Post, L. W. 
Powers, E. L. 
Priest, II. S. 
Pulitzer, Joe. 



Nagel, Chas. 
Nelson, B. F. 
Nelson, L. C. 
Nelson, N. O. 
Nelson, W. P. 
Newcomb, C. F. 
Ncvvcomb, G. A. 
Nicholls, C. C. 
Nicholls, F. B. 
Nicholson, P. 
Niedringhaus, A. 
Niedringhaus, F.G. 
Niedringhaus, G.W 
Niedringhaus.T.K. 
Niedrinahaus, W.F 
Nisbet, W. W. 
Noonan, E. A. 



Raboteau, John 
Rainwater, C. C. 
Ramsey, C. K. 
Randall, J. F. 
Raymond, F. 
Reynolds, Geo. 
Rhorer, Henry 
Rice, Jonathan 
Rice, F. R. 
Richards. W. K. 
Richardson. J. P. 
Riddle, F. C. 
Ripley, L.B. 
.Roach, 11. E. 
Roberts, E. P. 
Rosenheim, A. F. 
Rowell, Clinton 
Rowse, E. S. 
Rule, A. O. 



/ 



30"/^ 



MI^MBERS MERCAXTILB CLUB, 



Rumsey, W. C. 
Rnssell, J. C. 
Rntledge, Rob. 

Sampson, C. II. 
Sander, Knno 
Sargent, C. W. 
Saunders, V. O. 
Scberpo, J. F. 
Schmidt. IT. A. 
Schraubstadter. 
Schraubstad'r,W 
Schwab, Isaac 
Schweppe. W. E 
Scott, J. A. 
t^cruirgs, 11. M. 
Sciidder, J. W. 
Scuddor. C. W. 
Scudder, E. G. 
Sells, Edw. 
Seward, F. D. 
Shapleigh, R. W, 
Shapleigh, A. L, 
Shapleigh, Frant 
Sbarmans, C. II. 
Slielton, Tlieo. 
Sherwood. Adiel 
Sherwood, H. Y. 
Shipley, J. F. 
Sief,rist, H. A. 
Sikeraeier. H. 
Simmons, E. C. 
Simmons, S. W. 
Siuijikins, G. W. 
Simpson, J. C. 
Skinner. C. W. 
Slatterv, D. P. 
Smith, B. P. 
Smith, C. B. 
Smith, C. H. 
Smith, O. S. 
Stnith, F. H. 
Smith, F. W. 
Smith, G. C. 
Smith, H. W 
Smitli, W. J. 
Snow, li. E. 
Souther, E. E. 



Specht, Jos. 

Spencer, Seldon 

Spinney, W. K. 

Spinning, J. II. 

Spragiie, C. C. 

Stanley, A. C. 

Stanley, H. 

Sterling, E. C. 

Sterrett, F. M. 

Stettinius, E. R. 
C.Stewart, A. C. 
.AStewart, A. K. 

Stewart, A. M. 
. Stewart, James 

Sticknev. W. A. 

Stix, AVm. 

Street, A. W. 

S tri hi! ng, W. C. 

Swasev, W. A. 

Swift, W. II. 

Swinijley, W. S. 
. Sylvester, J. J. 

: Tansey, B. ]M. 
Tansey, Geo. J. 
Taussig, Wm 
Taussig, G. W. 
Taylor, U'. C. 
Taylor. I. S. 
Taylor, S. N. 
Tebbetts, L. B. 
TenBroek, G. II. 
Terry, I. C 
Terry, J. II. 
Thiei, G. H. 
Thompson, N. D. 
'I'hom])Son, C. A. 
Thompson. G. B. 
Tiirany. J. K. 
Tilton, E. D. 
Tittmann, E. C. 
Torrey, J. li. 
Townsenc?. H. C. 
Trask, I. R;. 
Tredway.Mannin 
Turner, C. H. 

Ustick, E. T, 



Udell, C. E. 

Vosburg, J, 
A'ining, E. P. 



Zukoski, W. A. 

Nou-Resident Members, 



Wales, Bert. T. 

AVull, L. J. W. 

Wall, N. R. 

Waggoner, S. E. 

\VaTle, F. J. 

Walker, D. D. 

Walker, W. H. 

Wann, F. A. 

Warner, C. G. 

"W.irner, C. S. ^,,. .. -,. 

Waterworth, J. a.^^^'"^^' Howard 

G i rd w ood , Jam e s 
Grantley, II. \V. 



BaKer, W. R, 
Brown, O. P. 
Bryan. A. L. 

Chesman, Nelson 
Conger, Arthur 

Dunham, L. A. 



AVatts, M. F. 
Wear, J. II. 
Weber, Aug. 
Webster, G. B 



Weinheimer, F.W.Hackstaff, Frk. 
Wertheimer, J. J. Hayes, II. E. 



Holmes, D. B. 
Hutchison, W. S. 



Wet more, JNI. C 
\\' bite, J. S. 
White, 'J\ C. 
Whitelaw, C. W. 
Whitman, C. E. 
Whitney, A. C. 
Wick, J. W. 
Williams, E. F. 
Wilkinson, J. C. 
Wilkerson, E. 
AVillis, Gordon 
Wilson, G. W. 
AVilson, Jos. II. 
Wolfe, D. R. 
WolfV, E. B. 
Wood, Y. C. 
Wood, G. L. 
AVood, II. D. 
Wood, J. C. 
Woodward. W. H. 
Worcester,Edward 
Worcester, Frk. 
gWright. G. M. E. Ilayden, 
Young, T. C. ^' !"• Tansey, 

Young, C. A. A. N. Thayer. 



Kellar, John A. 

Tiandes, J. P. 
Levey, C. M. 
I.indsley, H. C. 

]\Iuldoon, J. II. 
Murray, O. G. 

Scripps, E. W. 
Smith, I. A. 

Weed, W. S. 
Williams, W. IT. 
Williams, II. W. 



Hooorarf Memijers. 



